New Study May Impact Hernia Mesh Claims

Hernia mesh is a medical device commonly placed by surgeons in the area around a hernia in order to support damaged tissue during the healing process. Nine out of 10 hernia surgeries each year involves the mesh. Unfortunately, complications such as bowel obstructions and perforation, sometimes do arise once the mesh is placed, and patients may need additional surgery to remove the mesh, as well as extensive medical care when that happens. A recent study asked whether synthetic mesh is better than biologic mesh at reducing a 2-year risk of hernia recurrence when a single stage repair of ventral hernias is made. The findings tend to support the use of synthetic mesh rather than biologic hernia mesh because synthetic mesh entails lower costs and recurrences. If you were injured by hernia mesh, you should call the seasoned Chicago product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

Give Moll Law Group a Call About Your Hernia Mesh Claim

Injured consumers have filed at least 14,827 lawsuits against Bard and 3596 lawsuits against Ethicon. They are consolidated in multidistrict litigation. In the recent study, a multicenter randomized clinical trial, 253 patients were randomized to synthetic mesh and biologic mesh. At two years, the follow-up rate was 92%. Synthetic mesh majorly reduced the risk of hernia recurrence and did more in that regard than biologic mesh when a patient was going through single stage repair of ventral hernias.

The study noted that biologic mesh is usually used to reinforce contaminated ventral hernia repairs but is expensive and associated with high rates of long-term recurrence of hernias. Synthetic mesh costs less and may be able to do the same thing, but its efficacy in contaminated hernia cases hadn’t previously been subjected to rigorous study.

The multicenter, single-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted from December 2012 to April 2019 with a follow-up duration of 2 years. The trial was completed at 5 academic medical centers in the US with specialized units that handled abdominal wall reconstruction. A total of 253 adult patients with clean-contaminated or contaminated ventral hernias were enrolled in this trial.

Researchers found that not only was synthetic mesh better at reducing the risk of a hernia recurrence, but also mesh safet­y was improved. Mesh safety was assessed by looking at the rate at which procedural interventions were required and both the hospital costs after 30 days and the prosthetic costs.

While the recurrence risk for the biologic mesh was 20.5%, with synthetic mesh, it was 5.6%. Additionally, the median hospital direct costs for 30 days were higher with biologic mesh, and higher, too with regard to the price of the prosthetic devices.

Product Liability Lawsuits Against Hernia Mesh Manufacturers

When defective hernia mesh leads to serious complications, it may be worth pursuing a product liability lawsuit. Serious complications that have been seen with hernia mesh include recurrence, bowel obstruction, adhesions, seromas, fistulas, perforations, migration, and contraction. When the body rejects the mesh, it can result in nausea, vomiting, fever, inflammation, infections, and distended belly. It is wise to consult an attorney about whether you have a product liability claim.

When mesh is placed around your hernia and causes injuries, we may be able to allege it was defective in its manufacturing, marketing, or design. Whether we’re pursuing your claim under a theory of negligence or strict liability, one critical element we will need to prove is that a defect in the mesh, rather than the hernia itself caused your harm.

Call Our Law Firm If You Were Harmed by Hernia Mesh

If you were injured by hernia mesh, you should consult the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. We represent plaintiffs around the country in lawsuits arising out of medical products. Please complete our online form or give us a call at 312.462.1700.