Atlanta Hernia Mesh Lawyer
Atlanta Hernia Mesh Attorney Overview
You set up a surgical procedure for a routine fix. You came out with a new problem.
That’s the cruel twist of defective hernia mesh. A hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries in the country. The mesh is supposed to make it stronger and less likely to fail. When the mesh itself is flawed, it can do the opposite, causing chronic pain, infection, a returning hernia, or mesh that erodes into nearby organs. Fixing that often means another surgery, more time off work, and more pain you never signed up for.
One product drew particular fire. That was Ethicon’s Physiomesh, which has been discontinued since 2016. If a defective hernia mesh puts you back under the knife, an Atlanta hernia mesh lawyer at Bey & Associates can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, your pain, and your lost wages.
What Causes Hernias and How Are They Treated?
Hernias are caused when there’s a weakness in muscle or connective tissue, and something applies pressure to that area. The pressure can push an organ or tissue through the weak spot. Additional factors that increase the chance of getting a hernia are obesity, persistent coughing, constipation, heavy lifting, poor nutrition, and smoking.
Hernia treatment has non-surgical and surgical options. The non-surgical route usually includes keeping an eye on the hernia. Your surgeon also makes sure it’s not gotten worse or cause health issues, and they will recommend the option they think is best.
Surgery can be an open repair or laparoscopic.
An open repair is when a surgeon makes a small incision near the hernia and repairs the weak muscle with or without mesh.
Laparoscopic surgery entails multiple incisions in the abdomen, and the hernia repair can happen with or without mesh. Hernia mesh is supposed to help the repair and reduce the chance of getting a hernia again. It can also lessen the operation’s time and possibly reduce recovery time.
Surgical mesh complications can include
- pain
- infection
- hernia recurrence
- tissue sticking together
- bleeding
- perforation of the organs near the surgical site.
One brand of hernia mesh, in particular, was proven to have these complications and require additional surgery. It’s called Physiomesh and was released by a company called Ethicon. While Physiomesh was taken off the market, people are still dealing with the adverse consequences of the mesh.
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Even if you’re confident you’ve found a safe environment for them, it’s important to remember that there are negligent care facilities that abuse their residents.
What Are the Different Types of Hernias?
People can get different types of hernias affecting various body parts.
- Inguinal and Femoral. Hernias in the inner groin are inguinal, and hernias in the outer and upper thigh areas are femoral.
- If the abdomen has a scar or an incision, a hernia can form in that area.
- These hernias occur in the abdominal wall.
- People can get umbilical hernias at their belly button.
- These happen inside the abdominal area near the upper stomach.
When people get hernias, they might feel some symptoms like:
- You see swelling beneath your skin, and it may be tender.
- You feel discomfort when you bend over or lift objects.
Why Was Ethicon Physiomesh Hernia Mesh Recalled?
Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson company, sold Physiomesh as a better way to repair hernias. For too many patients, it did the opposite. Surgeons and regulators linked it to serious complications, including bowel perforation and obstruction.
In May 2016, Ethicon pulled Physiomesh from the U.S. market. People often call it a recall, but technically it was a voluntary market withdrawal. Ethicon acted after data from two large hernia registries showed higher rates of recurrence and repeat surgery with Physiomesh than with comparable meshes. The label matters less than the fact that patients were getting hurt.
Reported complications included:
- Bowel perforation and obstruction
- Hernia recurrence
- Mesh migration
- Adhesions, where tissue sticks together
- Infection and swelling
The FDA’s own injury database detected the pattern. Several reports highlighted mesh developing circular holes, or loosening and fraying, causing post-surgery patients intense pain.
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