A Thorough Guide To Hernia Mesh Complications
Along with advantages, advancing surgical procedures bring their own unique complications. The laparoscopic approach has its own set of complications for hernia operations, specially the concept of mesh erosion into Viscera.
Implantable fabric meshes have revolutionized the theory of hernia surgery. To provide extra support to repair weakened or damaged tissues by hernia, surgical meshes are often used. The physician can either choose to repair a hernia by pulling the natural tissues or by utilizing mesh without creating tension in the damaged part. But similar to all other medical devices, it also has its sets of risks hernia mesh complications.
Why use hernia mesh?
When an abdominal organ, fatty tissue or intestine breaks through a certain weakened or damaged area of a connective tissue, it is called hernia. Generally, hernias occur through abdominal wall (ventral), but they might also grow in inner or outer groin, umbilical region or at a scar site.
In the phase of ‘watchful waiting’, if a hernia doesn’t intend to grow, surgeries are generally avoided. However, if there is any sign of the hernia getting any bigger, surgery appears to be the only treatment. More than a million hernia repair surgeries take place in the U.S. every year. Using hernia mesh, which is a medical device made from polypropylene, physicians reduce the chance of its recurrence.
Possible side effects
· Reappearance of hernia
One of the most common hernia mesh complications involves the return of hernia. This can result due to a couple of reasons such as shrinkage of the implanted mesh, improper surgical technique, or migration of the mesh from the intended position. The chance of this complication is more for patients undergoing a second or subsequent surgery at the same site.
· Severe infection
Even though the hernia meshes are specifically designed and processed with polypropylene and Monocryl (same as what is used for transvaginals mesh), the human body still recognizes it as a foreign body.
The natural reaction to it from the body comes as a defense mechanism against the germs which causes an increased chance of infection in the mesh and in the surrounding region.
· Skin and intestinal complications
The chance of the mesh being stuck to the bowel is a common complication. Although there is no negative effect as such, in some cases the mesh or a part of it can migrate to the intestine and create an unnecessary blockage. It would then require a corrective surgical step. There are also chances of the mesh to erode through the wall of the intestine which can block the bowel movement. When the mesh is placed outside the abdominal cavity, the chances of intestinal complications are reduced but do not eliminate the scope of erosion through the skin.
· Damaging the nerve
If there is a persistent pain in the surgical region, it might be the sign of nerve entrapment. A local anesthetic application can eliminate the pain for the time being however for chronic pain, it might require another surgery.
Plaintiffs who meet the following criteria can be eligible for hernia mesh lawsuit:
· went through laparoscopic hernia repair surgery which involved the use of surgical hernia mesh
· the surgery dates on or after January 2008
· have or had scheduled for a corrective or hernia repair surgery
After suffering complications from the surgical mesh, the victim can demand the expenses of all the medical bills, loss of wages (both in past and future) and compensation for loss and pain.