Hernia Mesh Complications
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by: Gary Anderson
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Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 Time: 6:57 AM
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However, FDA has received reports of complications associated with the hernia mesh. The complications include adverse reactions to the mesh, adhesions (when the loops of the intestines adhere to each other or the mesh), and injuries to nearby organs, nerves or blood vessels. Other complications of hernia repair can occur with or without the mesh, including infection, chronic pain and hernia recurrence. Most of the complications reported so far have been associated with mesh products that have been recalled and are no longer on the market.
Which hernia mesh patches have been recalled?
The hernia mesh patches that have been recalled were manufactured by Davol, Inc., and released under the brand names Bard, Composix, and Kugel. In some cases, the ring in these hernia repair mesh patches has broken. This has caused severe injuries to patients? internal organs and tissue, including bowel obstructions, bowel perforations, and chronic enteric fistulas.
The first recall was issued on December 22, 2005, when Daval, Inc. recalled its extra large hernia mesh patch. Davol notified U.S. customers of the initial recall by letter on December 27, 2005, which it sent via Federal Express.
In March 2006, the recall was expanded. Since the March 2006 recall expansion, Davol received four confirmed complaints of recoil ring breakage from one of their product codes manufactured between January 2004 and September 2005. Davol issued letters to hospitals and health care professionals on March 24, 2006, alerting them to the additional recalled products.
On January 10, 2007, Davol, Inc. issued another hernia mesh recall for patches that were manufactured before October 2005. Davol sent letters to health care professionals and distributors notifying them of the most recent expansion of this recall of specific lots of Bard, Composix, and Kugel mesh patches. The letter stated that surgeons and hospitals should stop using the recalled product and return unused units to the company.
Talking to your doctor
Before having a hernia operation, be sure to let the surgeon know if you?ve had a past reaction to materials used in surgical mesh or sutures, such as polypropylene. The FDA also recommends that you ask specific questions about hernia mesh complications, including the pros and cons of using a surgical mesh, and, if a surgical mesh will be used, what?s been the doctor?s experience with this particular product, and with treating potential hernia mesh complications?
About the Author
Gary Anderson is the author of this article on Hernia Mesh Lawsuit. Find more information about Kugel Mesh Settlement here.
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