An infected hernia mesh implant will generally cause pain and tenderness in the affected area initially. As the infection continues to grow, you may begin to experience other symptoms. This includes swelling, fever, and other classic symptoms of illness.
Since this type of infection can become dangerous very quickly, it is imperative that you talk to your doctor about your concerns as soon as possible. If the infection becomes systemic, it could be life-threatening.
Identifying Symptoms of an Infection or Another Hernia Mesh Complication
Infections in the abdomen will cause symptoms similar to other infections in the body, and also similar to the symptoms of hernia mesh failure. It may begin first as tenderness then chronic pain, and you could experience red, swollen skin in the area. As the infection continues to grow and spread, traditional flu-like symptoms may develop. This includes:
While flu-like symptoms are almost always indicative of some type of infection, the early signs of pain and tenderness could also indicate other types of complications. This could include serious problems include mesh migration, bowel obstruction, bowel perforation, and more.
Mesh migration, retraction, or rupture can cause a recurrence of the hernia, which your doctor may be able to diagnose based on its unique symptoms. This includes:
If you experience symptoms of any type of hernia mesh complication, your doctor may order a computerized tomography (CT) scan to try to visualize the mesh implant and determine if it is where it should be or if there are issues. In other cases, they may diagnose an infection based on your symptoms, prescribe antibiotics, and observe you to see if your symptoms improve. If they do not, you will need additional treatment and care.
Traditionally, the go-to treatment for hernia mesh infections is a second operation—usually far more invasive than the first—to attempt to remove the infected mesh. Not only is this an extensive and invasive procedure, but surgeons are rarely successful in removing the mesh. We believe it is impossible to remove this type of mesh safely once the tissues begin to grow into it.
In addition to being unsuccessful in the removal of the mesh, this type of procedure can lead to a high risk of hernia recurrence. In some patients, this could mean yet another operation and hernia repair.
Revision surgery, even without removal of the mesh, is still the best option for serious hernia mesh complications. Surgical repair of bowel perforations or obstructions and bladder damage can prevent these complications from becoming life-threatening. Infections, when they become systemic, can also cause serious problems up to and including death.
If you underwent a hernia repair operation that used a hernia mesh implant and later suffered an infection or another complication, you are not alone. Thousands of people have already taken legal action against hernia mesh manufacturers alleging their mesh patches are dangerous and defective. If you underwent revision surgery or suffer from chronic pain because of a hernia mesh implant, reach out to Tosi Law LLP today.
Our attorneys can review the details of your case for free. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no out-of-pocket attorney's fees for us to represent you. We may be able to recover a payout on your behalf by:
Your compensation could include damages such as related past and future medical care costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, attorney's fees, and punitive damages. Let us go to work on your case today. We will fight for the payout you deserve based on the facts of your case.
At Tosi Law LLP, we know how to navigate mass tort cases and will not hesitate to pursue a case against any manufacturer of dangerous medical devices. We will review your medical records to identify the manufacturer of your patch and to learn as much as possible about the complications and treatments you suffered. Finally, we will document your expenses and losses related to your hernia mesh infection.
We can get started on your case today. Call 888-311-8292 for your free initial consultation with a member of our team.