Before we answer the question, ‘Is mesh used for hernia repair safe?’, we need to know why the surgical mesh is used in the first place.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), hernias are known to recur in the same spot repeatedly. There are many types of hernias, but the causation is typically from a weakness in the connective tissue or muscle or even an opening combined with unusual pressure.

The mesh used for hernia repair is utilized as an additional strengthening safeguard to reduce the chances of this combination of weakness and pressure  happening again.

The FDA indicates that by the turn of the century, less than 10 percent of inguinal groin hernias were repaired without the use of mesh. Inguinal groin hernias represent over three-quarters of the million repairs that are undertaken in the U.S. annually.

Furthermore, medical scientific data analysis has underscored the conclusion that mesh used for hernia repair improves the chances that the wound will not reopen. Given this data, it is important to note the FDA also acknowledges multiple adverse medical events associated historically with hernia mesh, but indicated that many of those have been linked to products no longer available due to recall.

So, yes hernia mesh repair can be a safe undertaking after thorough risk-benefit analysis with your treating physician. There are other dynamics to consider as well in terms of your personal health before repair and complicating factors.

What Does Hernia Mesh Surgery Entail?

In traditional hernia repair surgery, the hernia is repaired by stitching the muscles shut. In hernia mesh surgery, the muscle weakness is instead “patched” with a flat mesh product. Hernia mesh products are designed to be used by surrounding tissues as a “scaffolding” that helps with the healing process and strengthens the muscle weakness.

Hernia mesh repair surgery can be done through a large incision or with laparoscopic surgery – a procedure done using tools through small incisions which are guided by a small camera.

What Are Health Conditions Which Can Spell Problems With Hernia Repair and the Use of Mesh?

As indicated by Medical News Today, there are lots of considerations when determining when and if to repair a hernia. Pre-existing health conditions that could complicate the recovery picture include but aren’t limited to body mass index (BMI), family history of ailment, tobacco use, nutritional status, the presence of hypertension or connective tissue diseases, and pregnancy. Also, the age of the patient and the day-to-day activities they undertake with their occupation is paramount.

Any hernia repair can result in post-operative problems. According to UCI Health, whether mesh is used or not, common issues stemming from trying to fix these types of issues include obstruction of the bowels; the development of abnormal scar tissue which acts as kind of a glue and causes intestines and organs to stick together unnaturally; abnormal tunneling or connections between organs, vessels, or intestines; perforation of organs or other tissues; and pain.

Additional problems may include infection, unusual bleeding, and movement or shrinkage of the mesh.

According to patients who have suffered from complications following their hernia mesh implants, the side effects of these devices may have long term, devastating consequences. Hernia mesh may adhere to other internal organs, causing the organs to stick together and resulting in severe pain. Although surgery may be able to separate the adhered mesh, it is often a complex process to remove the mesh from organs.

Hernia mesh that has migrated or broken may also result in organ perforations, which can lead to internal bleeding and injuries. One common injury caused by hernia mesh is a bowel obstruction, where the mesh wraps around or adheres to parts of the intestines. Bowel obstructions can be incredibly painful and require immediate medical attention to repair them before they become life-threatening.

Patients have also reported recurrent infections caused by hernia mesh. These infections may occur when sharp edges of broken or migrated mesh perforate the bowel, letting bacteria migrate into the abdomen and infect other internal organs. The materials some recalled mesh were made from also caused issues, and the presence of mesh in the body may also elevate the body’s immune response, leading to inflammation and pain.

Some patients who have suffered from hernia mesh complications and have attempted to have their mesh surgically removed have had to undergo multiple surgeries in order to remove the adhered mesh pieces and repair any damage caused by them. Additionally, according to lawsuits filed by victims of hernia mesh complications, many of these products may be unsafe for humans and were only briefly tested on animals before being approved for human use.

Is Surgical Repair Always The Best Option?

The FDA asserts that, in some cases, a practice of ‘watchful waiting’ can be employed by a medical professional successfully to treat a hernia. While laparoscopic or open surgery is the only option to ‘cure’ a hernia—whether or not mesh is used, a hernia can remain stable and cause minimal disruption to life for a long period of time. Having a medical team willing to keep tabs on whether the hernia is growing in size or causing additional complications is the key.

Even if surgical repair is determined to be the best option for a patient, approaches will vary – including whether or not to use a hernia mesh. According to the University of California Irvine’s health department, doctors and patients have to weigh the benefits and risks of using hernia mesh in surgical repair.

The largest benefit of using hernia mesh is the low risk of recurrence – meaning that hernias repaired with mesh are less likely to reoccur when compared to hernias repaired only with stitches. However, patients and doctors may be wary to use these products based on the potential risks.

UCI Health surgeon Marcelo W. Hinojosa, who specializes in gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery, says that the safety of hernia mesh is the number one question his hernia patients ask about. “We look at the risks and benefits together — and discuss the reasoning behind using mesh — to help them make informed decisions,” Dr. Hinojosa says.

Individuals who needed hernia repair revision surgery due to complications may be able to take legal action against unsafe hernia products. If the products were designed or manufactured defectively, consumers may be eligible to hold the manufacturer accountable for any resulting injuries.