Understanding Hernia and the Role of Mesh in Hernia Repairs

More than three million adults, children, and even babies will be diagnosed with hernia this year alone, and many will need to undergo surgical repair. Unfortunately, some of the mesh products used to repair and support a hernia may cause adverse events and unexpected complications including unplanned surgeries. If you were implanted with a mesh product for hernia repair and have suffered serious complications and side effects, speak with one of our hernia mesh lawsuit attorneys to learn more about your rights and whether you qualify to seek justice.

What is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when a weakness in the tissue or muscle allows an organ to protrude, and each form of hernia is named after the affected part of the body.

• Femoral hernia allows the lower intestine to protrude at the upper thigh or outer groin
• Hiatal hernia allows the upper stomach to push through the diaphragm to the chest cavity
• Incisional hernia causes tissue to protrude from an abdominal scar or incision
• Inguinal hernia allows tissue or intestine to protrude into the groin
• Umbilical hernia allows tissue or intestine to protrude into the belly button

Hernias do not generally heal on their own. Instead, they are often treated by surgery. If left untreated, a hernia may continue to get worse, be painful or more painful, and cause serious complications.

Hernia Treatment

If you have a hernia, your physician may decide to keep an eye on it or treat it through a hernia repair surgery where a surgeon implants a flexible, thin mesh patch over the weakened area to support and strengthen it. But be aware, some of the most commonly used hernia mesh repair products are made by companies that used an FDA program to get the mesh on the market faster without the clinical studies that are required for traditional market approval. This rush to market has allegedly caused patients to suffer severe complications and serious adverse events that include:

• Adhesions that cause the mesh to stick or adhere to organs and tissue
• Allergic reactions
• Chronic and debilitating pain
• Dangerous infections
• Erosion and migration of mesh
• Foreign body reactions
• Inflammatory responses
• Intestinal blockages
• Mesh contractions and shrinkage
• Perforation of internal organs
• Reoccurrence of a hernia
• Wound abscess

Patients who experience these types of serious complications may have to endure unplanned surgical procedures to attempt to remove the mesh from the body and repair internal damage. These additional surgeries are typically more complex than the initial hernia repair surgery, and some patients will require more than one.

While the FDA has recalled some of these mesh products from the market, hernia repair mesh from Bard, Atrium Medical, and Ethicon remain on the market and continue to be used today. Patients who suffer injury from these mesh devices may be entitled to seek compensation for their injuries and for the losses they incurred due to those injuries. Medical device makers have a duty to make sure that their products are safe before they hit the market and are used to treat patients. When they fail this duty, they may be held liable by law for the injuries and losses their products cause.

If you have suffered injury after receiving a hernia repair mesh, contact us today to learn more about your rights, the problems with hernia mesh, and whether you are eligible to file a hernia mesh lawsuit for compensation.