What is Hernia Mesh?
Hernia mesh is used when internal organs or fatty tissue begin to push through weak spots, usually in the abdominal wall, causing a hernia. Hernia’s are a fairly common medical ailment, happening at least one million times a year in the United States alone.
Causes of hernias include pressure from lifting heavy objects, ongoing sneezing or coughing, constipation, or other medical conditions. The most common types of hernias include:
- Inguinal: occurs in the inner groin
- Femoral: occurs in the upper thigh/outer groin
- Incisional: occurs through an incision or scar in the abdomen
- Ventral: occurs in the general abdominal/ventral wall
- Umbilical: occurs at the belly button
- Hiatal: occurs inside the abdomen, along the upper stomach/diaphragm
The FDA believes about 80% of hernia repairs in the United States are fixed with hernia mesh. The surgical grade mesh is intended to support the existing muscle and prevent the organs and fatty tissue from pushing through the weakened muscles.
What are the Dangers of Hernia Mesh?
Unfortunately, despite their common usage, hernia mesh products can cause many severe complications and conditions including:
- Chronic or intermittent pain
- Need for surgical revision
- Reoccurrence of the hernia
- Infection
- Resulting damage to nearby organs including perforations
- Fluid buildup at the site of the mesh
- Mesh shrinkage
- Abnormal scar tissue that sticks tissues together, known as adhesion
- Intestinal blockages
- Migration or movement of the mesh
- Bleeding
- Abnormal connections between organs or tissue, known as fistula
These conditions may be minor or very serious and may require additional surgery to remove or replace the hernia mesh.
What are the Dangers of Hernia Mesh?
How Can We Help You?
If you or someone you love have, or plan to, undergo revision surgery to remove or replace your hernia mesh after experiencing severe injuries or complications, contact us today to further evaluate your rights to compensation.
Here at Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we have more than 30 years of experience fighting against a healthcare industry that seems to put profits over patients. This includes doctors, hospitals, and the manufacturers of medical devices. Hernia mesh implants that have been recalled by the FDA are subject to suit to repay you for your injuries including lost wages, medical expenses, or even funeral costs.
If you or someone you love was implanted with a recalled hernia mesh device that required revision surgery, please call us or submit your case for evaluation today.
We are here for you. Call us today!