The health risks associated with hernia mesh are varied, but the most common complications are adhesion, bowel obstruction, perforation, pain, infection, and hernia recurrence, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Common Hernia Mesh Health Risks
Recalled hernia mesh products that cause life-threatening complications are still implanted in many Americans today. In many cases, they have already caused serious injury to hernia sufferers that required additional surgery and caused even more pain. Some of these dangerous complications include the following:
Adhesion
According to Cleveland Clinic, adhesion caused by hernia mesh is “scar tissue that forms between abdominal tissues and organs that causes your tissues and organs to stick together.” Often, adhesion affects the small intestine, impeding its normal movement within the body.
The only way to treat adhesion is with scar tissue removal surgery. Unfortunately, this can result in even more scar tissue forming in the body. Laparoscopic surgery, which uses smaller incisions than open surgery, can reduce the risk of adhesion when treating a hernia. While adhesion can be harmless, in other cases, it can cause major problems like bowel obstruction.
Bowel Obstruction
Bowel obstruction occurs when the intestines twist. Obstructed bowels cannot function properly, and that means waste—solid, liquid, and gas—can not exit the body. This can result in “severe abdominal pain,” “bloating,” and “nausea and vomiting,” Cleveland Clinic goes on to report.
According to Mayo Clinic, obstructed bowels can cause life-threatening complications. The “blocked parts of the intestine can die.” This tissue death can cause a perforation in the intestine, which may result in a dangerous infection.
Perforation and Infection
The perforation of the intestinal wall can cause an infection of the abdominal cavity. According to Mayo Clinic, this is called “secondary peritonitis.” Treating this infection can require antibiotics or surgery. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of the body, causing sepsis; sepsis can cause organ failure and death.
Pain
All of these dangerous complications can come with severe pain. This pain may make it impossible for those with hernia mesh complications to work or go about their day to day lives.
Hernia Recurrence
Lastly, defective mesh can lead to hernia recurrence. The intestine can emerge through the muscles, causing a painful bulge, infection, nausea, and constipation. This may require additional surgery to treat, especially if the hernia becomes strangulated.
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The Impact of Hernia Mesh Complications
Although the health impact of any of these complications is obvious, the damage does not stop there. In fact, many people who have suffered further injury due to defective hernia mesh have suffered more losses than just the damage to their health—they have also had to deal with the economic, mental, and emotional impact of their injuries.
Economic Impact
The economic losses that hernia mesh complication sufferers have had to experience can be financially devastating. The cost of doctors’ visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and other medical expenses can pile up, leaving an already hurting family in a tough situation.
Non-Economic Impact
In addition to the economic impact, hernia mesh complication sufferers also face not-so-tangible losses. They may lose their ability to work, to go about their day to day lives, or to do the things that once brought them joy.
The mental and emotional suffering they may experience deserves compensation just as their financial losses do. A personal injury lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can fight for these damages. This way, mesh complication sufferers can worry less about money and focus more on their health and happiness.
What to Do if You or Someone You Love Has Defective Hernia Mesh Implants
If you or someone you love has suffered losses due to hernia mesh complications, you may be entitled to damages. Bring in the Strong Arm of Loncar Lyon Jenkins to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
To receive your free case evaluation and to learn more about the health risks associated with hernia mesh, call Loncar Lyon Jenkins today at (877) 239-4878.
