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BIRMINGHAM, AL HERNIA MESH ATTORNEY
There are numerous types of hernias and corresponding surgical procedures to correct each one, but several have commonly involved the use of hernia mesh and thus are typically the ones that exhibit problems months or years later. One of the most common types of injury that uses mesh in its repair is the inguinal hernia.
Complications start with a weakness in the inner groin area which then allows abdominal contents into the inguinal canal, causing pain and discomfort. Another type is the ventral hernia, or one that has pushed through a weakened area of the abdominal wall. Finally, there’s the incisional hernia. This occurs when an organ or tissue bulges through or reopens a past surgical incision.
What You Need to Know about Hernia Mesh
Hernia mesh devices first became widely used by the late 1980s and accounted for roughly 90 percent of all hernia procedures by 2000, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In that time, many studies have been conducted that contradict manufacturer’s claims—calling into question the suitability of these devices for use in the human body. By 2016, some products, such as Ethicon’s Physiomesh, were either pulled or withdrawn from U.S. and world markets.
Many of today’s modern hernia meshes are constructed of polypropylene (brand names include PROLENE® and Marlex®, for example)—basically a monofilament (plastic or resin) suture. For certain applications, the mesh is coated with a fatty acid, cellulose or collagen to prevent adhesion or the forming of scar tissue that can fuse the mesh with the intestines or other organs.
By 2018, more than 50,000 hernia mesh lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal courts—with two of the largest contributors to individual cases being Ethicon/Johnson & Johnson’s Physiomesh and Atrium Medical Corporation’s C-Qur Mesh.
Manufacturers of Hernia Mesh that May Fail or Cause Problems
Here are just some of the manufacturers who now make or have made some of the more popular hernia meshes in use. Some specific product names are listed, but others do apply. If you have questions, contact Lewis & Feldman, LLC to learn if the maker of your mesh is one known to have problems.
Atrium – Makers of the C-Qur hernia mesh
C.R. Bard (Davol) – Makers of the Composix, Sepramesh and Ventrio meshes
Covidien (Tyco) – Makers of more than a half dozen mesh devices
Ethicon/Johnson & Johnson – Makers of Physiomesh, Prolene and Proceed meshes
Gore – Makers of DualMesh and DualMesh Plus
Hernia Mesh Complications and Side Effects
In an effort to be more competitive with sales of hernia mesh, some companies released “new and improved” products that might not have been fully tested over a long enough period of time. Such devices were often “fast-tracked” through the FDA via a process known as Premarket Notification 510 (k), which allows for a less stringent trial period on the promise that more in-depth testing will follow.
• Chronic pain
• Inflammatory, allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
• Swelling
• Adhesion to bowels or other organs
• Bacterial infections
• Encapsulation or “folding over” of the mesh
• Intestinal obstructions
• Organ perforation
• Mesh migration (moving throughout the body)
• Fistulas (bowel perforation or blockage)
Because of the complexity involved in determining if you have a case against any of these hernia mesh products, it’s important you contact Lewis & Feldman, LLC today for a free consultation. You could be entitled to financial restitution for lost wages, unpaid medical bills, pain and suffering, and a loss of quality of life due to a defective hernia repair device.
If you have suffered severe mesh complications that required hospitalization or corrective surgery due to problems with the mesh used in your hernia repair surgery, then the attorneys at Lewis & Feldman, LLC want to hear from you. With decades of experience, we can help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to for your pain and suffering, medical bills and other expenses. For a case evaluation call Lewis & Feldman, LLC locally at 205-254-6060, toll-free at 888-705-3997 or complete our contact form. You can also email us at jon@LewisAndFeldman.com and dfeldman@LewisAndFeldman.com.