Hernia Mesh Complications

Mesh patches reduce the risk of recurrence, which is the most common complication of hernias. However, mesh increases the risk of long-term complications. In most cases, the only treatment is another surgery to remove it.

Need a Texas Hernia Mesh Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by a complication of a hernia mesh patch or plug, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Hernia Complications

The most serious complication of an untreated hernia is an intestinal strangulation, which requires emergency surgery or it will cause death. Surgery is the only way to fix a hernia. Over 1 million hernia surgeries are performed every year, with 80% involving groin hernias. Mesh patches are used in over 50% of these surgeries.

General Complications of Hernia Surgery

The general complications of surgery and anesthesia include allergic reactions to medications, lung collapse, shock, bleeding, blood clots, infections, nerve damage, organ damage, surgical errors, seroma/hematoma, chronic pain, and death.

Hernia Recurrence

Hernia recurrence is a common complication that occurs when the hernia returns after it has been surgically repaired and needs another operation. Incisional hernias have the highest risk of recurrence, with up to 20% requiring another surgery.

Hernia Mesh Complications

Hernia recurrence can be prevented with mesh patches and plugs, which are stitched inside the body to reinforce weakened tissues. The trade-off is a higher risk of long-term complications. Mesh causes complications within 5 years in 4-6% of patients, while only 1% of patients who do not receive mesh develop long-term complications, according to a study published in JAMA in October 2016.

What is the problem?

Some types of hernia mesh have higher risks than others. Lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured by Ethicon Physiomesh, a product that was pulled off the market in May 2016 after two large studies in Europe linked it to higher rates of hernia recurrence and re-operation compared to similar mesh. Lawsuits have also been filed by people who were injured by Atrium C-Qur Hernia Mesh and C.R. Bard/Davol Kugel Mesh.

List of Hernia Mesh Complications

• Infection
• Chronic Pain
• Bleeding
• Hernia recurrence
• Adhesions (scar-tissue)
  
• Intestinal perforation
• Fistula
• Organ damage
• Erectile dysfunction or urinary problems in men
• Foreign body reaction
• Mesh erosion, migration, hardening, shrinkage
• Surgery

Hernia Mesh and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is one of the most common and under-publicized side effects of hernia surgery. Up to 30% of patients develop persistent pain or restricted movement after groin hernia repairs. Pain can occur due to nerve damage, mesh erosion, or scar-tissue growth into nerves.

Adhesions and Scar-Tissue

Hernia mesh encourages scar-tissue growth. This helps prevent recurrence, but it can be harmful. Adhesions are fibrous bands of scar-tissue that stick organs together — often intestines to the abdominal wall. Large adhesions can block the intestines, entrap nerves, cause chronic pain, urinary problems, or sexual dysfunction in men.

Foreign Body Reactions to Mesh

Sometimes the body rejects hernia mesh — a complication called a foreign body reaction. It causes chronic inflammation, which increases the risk of adhesions and chronic pain. Low-level inflammation may go unnoticed for several years.

Foreign body reactions are mostly associated with polypropylene mesh. It has also been linked to Atrium C-Qur Hernia Mesh, which is coated in omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil). In one case report, a 61 year-old woman who developed adhesions, pain, and a hard lump on her abdomen required surgery to remove the mesh.

Mesh Erosion or Contraction

Hernia mesh sometimes moves out of its intended position. There is a risk of it eroding into nearby tissues or organs, folding up, shrinking, or hardening. This complication is sometimes due to a bad surgery. More often, it is a secondary side effect of adhesions, physical trauma, abscesses, bleeding, or seromas. Symptoms may not occur for years.

Surgery to Remove Hernia Mesh

Hernia mesh becomes permanently embedded in the body within a few months. When late complications occur, surgery is necessary to remove the mesh. Unfortunately, removing embedded mesh is like trying to get gum out of your hair. The risk of complications is high, and with every surgery, the chances of permanently plugging the hernia go down.

Need a Hernia Mesh Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas hernia mesh lawyers for a free lawsuit review.