Living with hernia mesh complications can be painful, confusing, and overwhelming. If you’re experiencing problems after a hernia mesh surgery, you’re not alone. Thousands of patients have reported complications ranging from minor discomfort to severe, life-altering conditions.
We have worked with hernia mesh patients for over a decade, and we’ve seen firsthand how these complications can impact daily life. Let’s talk about what you might be experiencing and what options you have.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Hernia mesh complications can appear immediately after surgery or develop years later. Many patients tell us they struggled to get a proper diagnosis because their symptoms seemed unrelated to their original hernia repair.
Common hernia mesh complications include:
- Persistent pain in the surgical area, groin, or abdomen
- Infection that may be localized or spread throughout the body
- Adhesions where the mesh sticks to nearby organs or tissue
- Bowel obstruction causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Mesh migration when the device moves from its original placement
- Mesh contraction causing tension and pain
- Erosion of the mesh into surrounding tissues or organs
- Seroma formation (fluid buildup around the mesh)
- Nerve damage leading to chronic pain or numbness
- Recurrence of the original hernia
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. You may be entitled to compensation.
Recognizing Covidien and Bard Mesh Complications
While any hernia mesh can cause complications, the claims still being filed today involve mesh made by two companies: Covidien (now part of Medtronic) and C.R. Bard.
Covidien Parietex, Symbotex and ProGrip
Covidien’s Parietex and Symbotex meshes are made of polyester, and ProGrip comes in polyester and polypropylene versions. The lawsuits allege that the polyester breaks down in the body and that, on the composite Parietex and Symbotex meshes, the collagen film meant to keep the mesh from sticking to the bowel fails, leading to:
- Mesh adhering to the bowel and other organs
- Bowel obstruction, fistula or perforation
- Chronic inflammation and pain
- Mesh erosion through tissue
- Hernia recurrence and revision surgery
Bard Ventralex, 3DMax, PerFix, Composix, Kugel and Sepramesh
Bard’s hernia meshes, including Ventralex and Ventralight ST, 3DMax, PerFix Plug, Composix and Kugel and Sepramesh, are made of polypropylene. The lawsuits allege that the polypropylene degrades and that coatings on some of these products break down, exposing the mesh to the bowel and causing adhesions, bowel obstruction, chronic pain, migration and repeated revision surgeries.
These complications are not universal, and many patients with Covidien or Bard mesh have successful outcomes. For those who do have problems, the injuries can be serious and often require more surgery.
Why Do Hernia Mesh Complications Happen?
Most hernia mesh is made of polypropylene (Bard’s products) or polyester (Covidien’s Parietex and Symbotex lines), often with a coating designed to prevent adhesion to internal organs. Complications typically occur when:
- The coating fails, allowing the mesh to adhere to nearby organs
- The body rejects the mesh as a foreign object
- The mesh contracts, migrates, or erodes into surrounding tissue
- Manufacturing defects compromise the mesh’s integrity
- The mesh wasn’t properly sized or placed during surgery
It’s important to understand that not all hernia mesh products are defective, and mesh is still considered the standard of care for most hernia repairs. In fact, the majority of patients with hernia mesh implants never experience serious complications.
However, for those who do develop problems, the impact can be severe and life-changing.
Diagnosing Hernia Mesh Complications
If you suspect you’re experiencing complications from hernia mesh, here’s what you should know about diagnosis:
- Some complications can be identified through physical examination
- CT scans or MRIs are often needed to visualize mesh-related problems
- Blood tests may help identify infections
- Your surgical history and the type of mesh used are crucial information
Many patients tell us their doctors initially dismissed their symptoms or didn’t connect them to their hernia mesh. If you feel your concerns aren’t being addressed, seeking a second opinion from a surgeon experienced with hernia mesh complications is often worthwhile.
Treatment Options for Hernia Mesh Complications
Treatment depends on the specific complications you’re experiencing:
- Antibiotics may resolve some infections, though infected mesh often requires removal
- Pain management strategies including medication, nerve blocks, or physical therapy
- Surgical intervention to remove or replace the mesh, repair damage, or address adhesions
- Revision surgery to repair a recurrent hernia after mesh failure
In many cases, removal of the problematic mesh is necessary. This can be a complex procedure, especially if the mesh has adhered to organs or is partially embedded in tissue.
Your Legal Options
If you’re suffering from hernia mesh complications, particularly from Covidien or Bard mesh, you may have a claim for compensation. Covidien has not settled its hernia mesh lawsuits, and Covidien claims are still actively being filed and litigated.
Bard announced an agreement in October 2024 to resolve most of its hernia mesh lawsuits. The Bard MDL is still open and new claims can still be filed, but new claims must meet newer and more demanding procedures, so we are still reviewing select Bard claims with severe injuries, such as multiple revision surgeries, extended hospitalization or bowel damage.
To determine if you might have a claim, we’ll need to know:
- When your hernia repair surgery took place
- What type of mesh was used (if you know)
- What complications you’ve experienced
- What medical treatment you’ve received for these complications
How We Can Help
If you’re suffering from hernia mesh complications, especially from Covidien or Bard mesh, we can:
- Review your medical records to identify the type of mesh used
- Consult with medical experts to understand your complications
- Determine if you have a potential legal claim
- Guide you through the entire process if you do have a claim
- Fight for compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
Our team has helped hernia mesh patients nationwide for over a decade, and we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these complications can take.
Common Questions
How long after surgery can complications develop?
While some complications appear within days or weeks of surgery, others may take years to develop. We’ve worked with clients who didn’t experience symptoms until five years or more after their original surgery.
Which hernia mesh products are involved in the current lawsuits?
Claims are still being filed over Covidien’s Parietex, Symbotex and ProGrip meshes, and over Bard meshes including Ventralex, Ventralight ST, 3DMax, PerFix Plug, Composix, Kugel and Sepramesh. Bard claims are reviewed for severe injuries because of its global settlement. Your operative report will show which mesh you received.
How do I know what kind of mesh was used in my surgery?
Your operative report will specify the type and brand of mesh used. You can request this from the hospital where your surgery was performed.
Will I need another surgery if I have mesh complications?
Not always, but many serious complications do require surgical intervention. Your doctor can help determine the best approach based on your specific situation. Sometimes additional surgery is too risky to perform. Make sure you ask your doctor to note that risk in your medical records.
Can hernia mesh complications be permanent?
Unfortunately, some patients experience long-term or permanent effects from hernia mesh complications, particularly if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
Do all hernia surgeries use mesh?
No, there are non-mesh surgical techniques, although mesh repairs are most common because they generally have lower recurrence rates. However, for certain patients or types of hernias, non-mesh, native tissue repairs may be appropriate.
Get Support Today
Living with hernia mesh complications can feel isolating and overwhelming. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options.
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