Hernia repair is a common surgery, many procedures use surgical mesh to strengthen weakened tissue and lower the chance of the hernia coming back. Mesh can be helpful, but complications can still happen. Some patients hernia mesh complications such as ongoing pain, infection, another hernia, or problems that require additional treatment.
If you have had hernia mesh surgery and something does not feel right, understanding the possible complications and knowing what type of mesh was used can help you ask the right questions about your health and next steps.
What is Hernia Mesh?
A hernia can occur when an organ, intestine, or fatty tissue pushes through a weak point in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Surgical mesh is a medical device that can be used during a hernia repair to provide extra support to that weakened area.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that most hernia repair surgeries in the United States use implanted surgical mesh. Mesh products can be made from synthetic materials or animal tissue. Synthetic mesh may be absorbable, non-absorbable, or a combination of both, while animal-derived mesh is absorbable.
Mesh can reduce the likelihood of a hernia returning, but every surgery and medical device carries potential risks.
Possible Hernia Mesh Complications
The FDA identifies several commonly reported complications after hernia repair. These can occur with or without mesh and include:
- Pain
- Infection
- Hernia recurrence
- Adhesions, or scar-like tissue that causes tissues to stick together
- Bowel obstruction
- Bleeding
- Fistula, or an abnormal connection between organs, vessels, or intestines
- Seroma, or fluid buildup at the surgical site
- Perforation of nearby tissue or organs
When mesh is used, additional reported problems include mesh migration and mesh shrinkage, also called contraction. These issues may be associated with other complications of hernia repair.
Not every symptom after surgery means the mesh is defective. A complication can have many possible causes, including the patient’s health, the type of hernia, the surgery itself, and the device that was used.
Signs that May Need Medical Attention
Some problems appear shortly after surgery, while others may develop later. Patients should contact a healthcare provider if they develop new, persistent, or worsening symptoms after a hernia repair.
Depending on the situation, symptoms may include continued pain, swelling near the surgical area, signs of infection, digestive problems, or a new bulge near the original hernia site.
If mesh was used, the FDA advises patients to consider obtaining information about the manufacturer, brand name, material, and Unique Device Identifier (UDI), if available. That information can help patients and healthcare providers determine whether later safety information applies to the specific device.
When Could Hernia Mesh Be Defective?
A complication by itself does not prove that a medical device was defective. If there is concern about the mesh itself, the questions usually fall into a few areas.
Design Problems
Some claims focus on the way a mesh product was designed, including the material used or how the mesh behaves after it is implanted. Whether the design played a role in an injury depends on the specific product and medical facts.
Manufacturing Problems
A manufacturing issue is more specific: something may have gone wrong while a particular device was being made, even if the overall design was not the problem.
Inadequate Warnings
Warnings are a separate issue. A claim may also involve whether the manufacturer gave adequate instructions and warnings about the device’s risks. That question depends on the product, the warnings available at the time, and the facts of the case.
Are Hernia Mesh Lawsuits Still Pending?
Yes. Federal hernia mesh product liability litigation remains active.
Those lawsuits concern specific products and individual injuries. Their existence does not mean every hernia mesh product is defective or that every complication leads to a legal claim.
What Should You Do If You Are Having Problems?
Your health comes first. If you are experiencing pain or other concerning symptoms after hernia mesh surgery, speak with your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
It may also help to keep copies of information related to your surgery and treatment, including:
- Medical and surgical records
- The date of the hernia repair
- The name and manufacturer of the mesh, if known
- The product UDI or other identifying information, if available
- Records of follow-up appointments or additional procedures
About Forester Haynie
Forester Haynie represents clients nationwide in lawsuits against the manufacturers of defective medical devices. If you are looking for a product liability lawyer, Forester Haynie can help. Fill out the contact form below or call us at 214-210-2100 to get started on your free case evaluation today!
