Hernia Mesh Complications

Hernia mesh reduces the risk of hernias returning, but increases the risk of long-term complications. It is hard to remove the mesh when complications occur. Many patients are left with permanent health problems when hernia mesh fails.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting hernia mesh induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by hernia mesh complications, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Hernia Recurrence

The only way to permanently fix a hernia is with surgery. Every year, over 1 million hernia surgeries are performed in the United States, 80% involving hernias in the groin. Hernias have a high risk of returning and needing another surgery — a complication known as “recurrence.” Incisional hernias have the highest risk, but any hernia can return. This is why over 50% of hernias are repaired with a mesh patch or plug.

Hernia Mesh Complications

Studies have shown that hernia mesh reduces the risk of recurrence. The trade-off is a higher risk of long-term complications. Another problem is that some types of mesh work better than others — for example, Physiomesh and C.R. Bard Kugel Mesh have been linked to higher rates of recurrence, re-operation, and other complications.

What is the Risk?

Long-term complications occurred in 1% of hernia patients who were not implanted with mesh, but 4-6% of patients who did receive mesh, according to a 5-year study of 3,242 patients in Denmark that was published in JAMA in October 2016.

Hernia Mesh Complications

• Pain
• Infection
• Hernia recurrence
• Adhesions (scar-like tissue that sticks organs together)
  
• Intestinal obstruction
• Bowel perforation
• Fistula
• Abscesses
• Organ damage
• Erectile dysfunction
• Problems urinating
• Inflammation due to foreign body reaction
• Mesh migration, twisting, folding, contraction, or shrinkage
• Mesh erosion
• Surgery

Chronic Pain After Hernia Surgery

Chronic pain is one of the most common debilitating complications of hernia surgery with mesh. It is usually caused by irritation or damage to nerves, sometimes due to a surgical error, but more often as a result of scar-tissue or hernia mesh. Up to 30% of patients have persistent pain or restricted movement after groin hernia surgery.

Infected Mesh

Any surgery carries a risk of infection. The symptoms usually appear in the first few weeks. Mesh can harbor bacteria and delayed symptoms may not appear for several years. The overall risk is estimated to be 1-8%, but it depends on many factors. In one study, 63% of patients who needed surgery for infected mesh had MRSA, a bacteria that resists antibiotic treatment.

Scar-Tissue and Adhesions

Hernia patches are designed to promote scar-tissue growth. Over time, scar tissue surrounds the patch and helps reinforce weak tissues. This helps prevent another hernia, but in some cases the scar-tissue is abnormal. One complication is an adhesion — scar-tissue that “sticks” organs together, usually the intestines to the abdominal wall. Large adhesions can block the intestines, entrap nerves, cause chronic pain, and other complications.

Foreign Body Reaction

Foreign body reactions occur when the body rejects a mesh implant. The materials in the patch trigger an inflammatory immune-system response. In severe cases, the mesh must be removed immediately. More often, chronic low-level inflammation promotes adhesions.

Atrium C-QUR Mesh Lawsuits

Foreign body reactions have been associated with the Atrium C-QUR Hernia Mesh, which is coated in fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acid). This coating is advertised as a way to prevent adhesions (excessive scar-tissue growth due to inflammation), but more than a dozen lawsuits have been filed by people who say it actually causes infections, inflammation, and other severe side effects.

Hernia Mesh Migration

Hernia mesh does not always stay in place. It can erode into nearby tissues, move out of position, fold up, shrink, or harden. These complications are sometimes due to a bad implant. More often, they are secondary complications of an infection, foreign body reaction, or scar-tissue growth. It can take several years before symptoms appear.

Hernia Surgery Complications

Patients who experience any of the symptoms listed above may need another surgery. The problem is that hernia mesh is a permanent implant. After a few months, removing it is like trying to get gum out of your hair. With every surgery, the chance of permanently plugging the hernia goes down. All surgeries carry a small risk of death.

Do I have a Hernia Mesh Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting hernia mesh induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by hernia mesh complications, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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