Flexible, sheet-like mesh devices are a common surgical remedy for weakened or damaged soft tissue, including hernias. First considered as an alternative to primary suturing in hernia patients in the 1950s, mesh devices now account for roughly 90 percent of hernia repair procedures, the Food and Drug Administration reports.
The dominance of mesh devices as a hernia repair technique can largely be attributed to the belief that they reduce time spent in surgery and recovering. If a mesh device is defective, however, patients may find themselves facing severe complications, additional surgery, and unexpected medical bills. A medical malpractice lawyer who is also a product liability law attorney will help you get the justice you deserve.
We are reviewing potential cases of defective hernia mesh, made of non-absorbable polypropylene that may have caused injuries, including:
- Ethicon Physiomesh™
- Atrium C-QUR
- Composix® Kugel® mesh patches (manufactured by C.R. Bard subsidiary Davol)
- All C.R. Bard mesh patches made of Marlex polypropylene
Hernia Mesh Complications
When complications from hernia mesh repairs do occur, they can be severe and potentially life threatening. Hernia mesh side effects may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Adhesions
- Obstructions
- Mesh migration
- Bacterial infections
- Hernia recurrence
- Additional surgeries to treat hernia recurrence
Some complications may be so severe that they may even lead to death.
Removed from market: Johnson & Johnson Ethicon Physiomesh™
In May 2016, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily removed from the market its potentially defective Ethicon hernia mesh, citing reports from two unpublished studies that the device failed at higher rates compared to similar devices. Reports from two unpublished studies conducted by Herniamed German Registry and Danish Hernia Database found that the laparoscopically implanted Ethicon device failed at higher rates compared to similar devices, with instances of hernia recurrence and reoperation rates notably above average.
In a letter notifying healthcare providers of the recall, Johnson & Johnson claimed that the exact cause of the Ethicon hernia mesh product’s elevated failure rates was not clear, and was likely multifaceted.
When Ethicon hernia mesh was approved for public use in April 2010, it was released under FDA 510(k) clearance, a fast-tracked program that exempts medical devices that are deemed fundamentally similar to previously approved products from conducting clinical trials and other evaluations before being placed on the market.
Legal Recourse
If you were implanted with a Johnson & Johnson Ethicon hernia mesh device and suffered complications, litigation implemented by Hernia Mesh attorneys may be necessary to recover dollars lost due to unexpected medical bills, time away from work, and other harms. A medical malpractice attorney / product liability lawyers / Hernia Mesh attorney knowledgeable about Ethicon hernia mesh can guide you through the litigation process and answer any questions that you may have. Contact a medical attorney / Hernia Mesh lawyer as soon as possible as certain statutes of limitation may affect your ability to file a claim. If you are seeking a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit attorney, contact us.