How Long Does A Hernia Mesh Repair Last?

Quick Insights

• While hernia mesh repairs are designed to be permanent, complications often impact the mesh’s longevity and the quality of the patient’s life.
• Complications such as infections, chronic pain, and bowel obstructions are more common than many patients anticipate, frequently requiring further surgical intervention.
• If you’ve experienced complications from hernia mesh, contact Tosi Law to explore your options for seeking compensation.

Hernia mesh implants are designed to provide a permanent solution to hernia repairs. They are intended to last a lifetime by reinforcing weakened abdominal tissue and reducing the risk of recurrence. 

However, despite this durability, hernia mesh can cause complications like infections, chronic pain, and even bowel obstructions. These issues can develop months or even years after surgery and can have a profound impact on the quality of your life.

If you’ve experienced health complications due to defective hernia mesh, contact Tosi Law to discuss your legal options. If your case is eligible, we can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering. 

Understanding Hernia Mesh Repair

What Is Hernia Mesh?

Hernia mesh repair is widely considered the most effective long-term solution for hernia treatment, with over a million of these surgical procedures performed annually in the United States​.

The primary goal of using mesh is to provide a durable, permanent fix for a hernia, reinforcing the weakened abdominal tissue to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. 

Hernia mesh is a flat, woven sheet of prosthetic material that acts as a scaffold, supporting the body as it heals and grows new tissue around the mesh. This integration process ensures the mesh remains effective for the rest of your life.

How Long Does Hernia Mesh Last?

Hernia mesh repairs are generally designed to be permanent, especially when using synthetic mesh. Materials such as polypropylene are chosen for their durability and resistance to degradation, allowing them to remain in the body indefinitely​.

This means that, under ideal conditions, the hernia repair should last a lifetime, with the mesh continuing to support the abdominal wall and prevent recurrence.

When it comes to the longevity of hernia repairs, the choice between synthetic and biological mesh is a crucial consideration:

Synthetic mesh is typically made from non-absorbable materials like polypropylene or polyester​. Polypropylene is a type of plastic that offers strength and flexibility, making it ideal for providing long-term or permanent support.

Biological mesh is made from processed animal tissue, usually derived from the intestines or skin of pigs (porcine) or cows (bovine)​. This tissue is treated and sterilized to remove cells, reducing the risk of rejection and allowing the body to gradually absorb the mesh over time. The structure of the biological mesh provides a temporary framework that supports the tissue during healing.

Hernia Mesh Complications

While hernia mesh is designed to last a lifetime, complications are relatively common and can significantly impact your health and the effectiveness of the hernia repair. A study published in The BMJ indicates that 12% to 30% of hernia mesh repairs result in adverse events for the patient.

Another study, published in 2016 by The JAMA Network, investigated long-term problems associated with the procedure and found that long-term mesh-related complications often negated its benefits.

Many of these complications can arise months or even years after the initial procedure​, highlighting the importance of remaining aware of them and their symptoms.

Infections

Since mesh is a foreign material, the body can sometimes respond to it as a threat, leading to infection. This is one of the most frequently reported complications associated with hernia mesh implants.

Symptoms of infection can vary and include fever, redness, swelling, and pain at the surgical site. In severe cases, an infection can even cause the formation of an abscess. Some patients also experience flu-like symptoms, like chills and fatigue. 

Infections are typically treated with antibiotics but, in severe cases, may require additional surgery to remove the infected mesh.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is another relatively common adverse effect associated with hernia mesh repairs. This pain can arise due to a variety of factors, including nerve damage, scar tissue formation (adhesions), or irritation from the mesh itself. 

Patients often describe the pain as a burning, tingling, or pulling sensation around the surgery site, which may worsen with movement. In more severe cases, the pain may develop in other areas, such as the groin, legs, or testicles.

Chronic pain can significantly affect daily activities, and some patients may require pain management or additional surgery to address these symptoms.

Mesh Migration and Erosion

Mesh migration and erosion are rare but extremely serious complications of hernia mesh repair, occurring in about 2% of major mesh-related complications. Migration involves the mesh moving from its original placement, while erosion means it partially displaces into an organ.

These complications can lead to bowel obstructions, fistulas, or infections and may require additional surgeries. The risk of migration increases if the mesh is inadequately secured or due to inflammation and scar tissue formation around the implant. Symptoms typically include abdominal pain, fever, swelling, persistent pain, and even rectal bleeding. 

Bowel Obstruction and Adhesions

Bowel obstruction occurs when the mesh, or the scar tissue that forms around it, causes the intestines to become blocked. This can prevent food and waste from passing through the digestive tract. 

Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form between the mesh and surrounding tissues or organs, causing them to stick together. This is more likely to happen with synthetic mesh due to its non-absorbable nature, which can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility of the intestines, or even bowel obstruction.

Seromas

Seromas occur when pockets of clear fluid accumulate near the hernia’s surgical site. This fluid buildup can create noticeable swelling, discomfort, and, in some cases, an increased risk of infection.

While small seromas may resolve independently over time, larger ones can require medical intervention. Doctors may need to drain the seroma using a needle and syringe, or in more severe cases, additional surgery may be necessary to prevent further complications.

Fistulas

Fistulas, abnormal connections between organs or tissues, are a severe and rare complication that can occur after hernia mesh repair. These connections typically form when the mesh erodes into surrounding tissues, such as the intestines or bladder, leading to a range of symptoms, including chronic pain, infection, and abnormal discharge.

Fistulas are particularly dangerous because they can lead to severe infections and other health issues. Treatment often involves complex surgical procedures to repair the damage and remove the mesh, which can be challenging due to its integration with surrounding tissues.

Difficulty of Mesh Removal

In cases where hernia mesh has caused significant complications for the patient, surgeons may need to remove the implant. This process can be extremely challenging since these meshes are intended to integrate fully into the body’s tissue. 

Removal can be costly and painful while also creating the risk of hernia recurrence since the mesh can no longer serve its original purpose.

Call Tosi Law if You Have Questions

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Hernia Mesh Victims: Find Out If You’re Eligible for Compensation

You should not be responsible for dealing with the consequences of a medical device manufacturer’s negligence.

At Tosi Law LLP, our attorneys can help you explore your options if you suffer from complications related to a hernia mesh implant. We understand the frustration of racking up medical expenses to treat chronic pain, discomfort, and other symptoms of a defective hernia mesh. 

We can help you pursue compensation and hold the company that manufactured and marketed your hernia mesh patch liable for your injuries and expenses. This may include pursuing an out-of-court settlement, which allows victims to recover compensation without the need for a lengthy trial. If an acceptable settlement is not offered, our team is equipped and prepared to take your case to court.

You could recover compensation that includes damages for medical care costs, lost wages, out-of-pocket costs, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages. 

Call us today at 888-311-8292 for a free review of your case and to learn more about how we can help you take legal action against the mesh manufacturer.