Hernia surgeries are one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. Approximately one million hernia surgeries are performed every year. With so many surgeries, many companies have developed and sell mesh products for use in hernia repairs.
A hernia operation is to repair a “hole” or a “weak point” in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue.
There are several different types of hernias. The most common are as follows:
- Incisional Hernia: At an old surgical incision site.
- Umbilical Hernia: On or around the Navel/belly button.
- Inguinal Hernia: Inner groin area.
- Femoral Hernia: High in the thigh.
- Hiatal Hernia: Above Stomach Area.
Hernia mesh repair surgeries are performed to reinforce the area where the hernia is protruding by implanting a mesh. Various types of hernia repair mesh devices exist, like patches, mesh sheets and woven mesh.
The material used to manufacture these mesh devices either could be natural tissues such as animal skin/intestines or synthetic materials such as polypropylene, a type of plastic. These mesh products are classified as absorbable and nonabsorbable.
Once implanted, these mesh products are intended to facilitate healing and provide permanent support to the weak hernial sites.
Unfortunately, many of these mesh products have not worked as intended and have resulted in serious injuries to patients. Investigations are underway and lawsuits are being filed against certain hernia mesh manufacturers because their products failed at a higher than expected rate and have been linked to a range of injuries including: recurrence of hernia, infections, bowel obstruction, scar tissue, perforation and chronic pain.
This blog post was submitted by the law firm of Powell & Majestro P.L.L.C.
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