Can Hernia Mesh Cause Bowel Obstruction?

Hernias occur when an organ or fatty tissue pushes through a hole or weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue.

Hernias most commonly occur in the abdominal wall, with hernia mesh utilized as a supportive wall to help the muscle heal. Over one million patients undergo hernia repair surgery per year in the United States, making it one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, according to the FDA.

Surgical mesh has been used for hernia repair for decades. Surgical mesh is made of synthetic materials that are either absorbent, non-absorbent, or a combination of the two.

Absorbent materials are made of animal tissue, which will degrade and lose strength over time. Non-absorbent mesh will permanently remain in the body, and is supposed to provide constant support for the surgical area, according to Wikipedia.

While surgical mesh has been used for many patients, there have been many serious complications associated with these products such as bowel obstruction. You may be able to get compensation by joining a hernia mesh class action lawsuit.

What is a bowel obstruction?

Bowel obstruction is described as a partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestines. When a patient suffers from a bowel obstruction, they are unable to properly digest food. It can be potentially life-threatening if not treated, according to WebMD.

There are two serious complications associated with bowel obstruction:

• Tissue Death: Bowel obstruction can limit or cut off blood supply to part of the intestines, which can cause the intestinal wall to die. The dead tissue can tear and increases the risk of infection.
• Infection: Also known as peritonitis, an infection can develop when the intestine is perforated and its contents seep into the peritoneal cavity. This can quickly evolve into septic shock, which requires emergency medical intervention and often requires surgery.

There are a number of potential causes of hernia mesh including, but not limited to:

• Adverse reactions to hernia mesh
• The bowel becoming inflamed
• A tumor or other growth inside the bowel that could block the passage
• Impacted feces
• Colon or other abdominal cancers

How does hernia mesh cause bowel obstruction?

One of the ways in which hernia mesh is implanted is through laparoscopic surgery, which can sometimes cause an intestinal blockage. The hernia mesh may not be properly covering the surgical area, and can also cause adhesions to form.

Under these circumstances, scar tissue develops while healing, which can connect to other tissue and nearby organs, such as the small or large intestines.

It is important to note that bowel obstruction can occur years after hernia repair surgery, but can also develop soon after, as well. The intestines can also become blocked when the mesh migrates away from its surgical site and embeds itself deep in the tissue.

What are the symptoms of bowel obstruction?

The symptoms of bowel obstruction vary between patients, especially when comparing the small bowel and large bowel blockages. Symptoms of a small bowel blockage are:

• Cramping
• Abdominal pain (comes in five to 15-minute waves)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unable to gas through rectum
• Bloated abdomen
• Tender abdomen
• Rapid pulse or breathing with cramps

In contrast, the symptoms of large bowel blockages include but are not limited to:

• Bloated Abdomen
• Mild to Severe Abdominal Pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea