What Is A Hernia?
Hernias occur when a weakness in the abdominal wall allows internal organs and tissues to push through the wall. If left untreated, hernias can become extremely painful and cause severe, life-threatening injuries. Hernias can occur very quickly or in other instances can develop slowly over time. Hernias can be caused by a number of factors like surgery, sudden weight gain, heavy weight lifting, pregnancy, and chronic coughing, among others. While minor hernias might resolve on their own, others require surgery.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over one million hernia repair surgeries are performed each year. While some of these surgeries are performed on patients experiencing a hernia for the first time, others are performed on patients with recurring hernias. Recurring hernias are incredibly dangerous because the likelihood of a successful repair decreases with each surgery.
How Does Hernia Mesh Work?
Hernia mesh is made up of a type of plastic called polypropylene. Tiny polypropylene fibers are woven together to create a patch. These patches can be placed over weakened abdominal muscles and holes in the abdominal wall to allow the muscle to heal while keeping the organs and tissues from protruding through the abdominal wall.
The Dangers of Hernia Mesh
Unfortunately, since the mid-2000s, the FDA has recalled a number of different hernia mesh products. Product manufacturers have pulled other products from the market for causing severe side effects.
The FDA has received reports of hernia mesh causing side effects including:
- Chronic pain – Because hernias can be extremely painful, many patients seek relief through surgery. Unfortunately even after hernia mesh repair surgery, many patients still suffer from chronic pain.
- Infection – Infections caused by hernia mesh are incredibly difficult to treat with antibiotics and often require subsequent surgical procedures to remove the mesh.
- Hernia Recurrence – Many patients with hernia mesh experience device failure and suffer additional hernias.
- Adhesions – Adhesions occur when bands of scar tissue attach to organs. With hernia mesh patients, the mesh can act as scar tissue and adhere to organs like the intestines.
- Obstruction – When adhesions form on hernia mesh, they can obstruct the bowel and cause severe digestive issues.
- Organ perforation – Hernia mesh with adhesions can penetrate the walls of organs, causing holes and serious medical complications.