31 Responses to:
“Hernia repair problems could be caused by defective surgical mesh”

1. David J. Bastian Says:
   May 11th, 2007 at 6:08 am

   I had surgery with mesh done in 98 , Was the mesh in question being used at that time. I was hospitalized with small bowel onstruction in 06.

2. Austin Kirk Says:
   May 12th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

   David, the recalled Kugel Hernia Repair Patches were approved in 2002.

3. Susan Garza Says:
   May 14th, 2007 at 10:36 pm

   I had surgery in September 2002, was this mesh defective at that time?

4. fuller.michael Says:
   May 30th, 2007 at 8:31 pm

   I had surgery in 99. I have been to at lease 6 doctors since then, They don’t know why I still hurt. It’s not ever day, but I do hurt. Could this be related.

5. Marianne Haskins Says:
   May 31st, 2007 at 4:41 am

   I got operated in 2004 for several ventral hernias in my abdoman area. After the surgeries, I had complications that eventially ended up in the removal of the mesh patch my doctor put in. I don’t know what kind of mesh patch it was for sure. Should I contact my doctor to find out what kind it was?

6. Robert Says:
   May 31st, 2007 at 5:17 pm

   I had a hernia repair in 1996-97 its in my records, they installed a mesh, I later had to have another hernia repair in 2006 on the same side the mesh had failed, and due to all the scar tissue from the previous surgery this last one has left more after affects. Whereby if the surgery was done with a correct mesh in 97, I would not have a need to under go a second surgery. Is there a way I can find out what was used, it was done a military hospital, and I know the Gov. contracts specific materials, did Kugel have the contract at the time for the mesh??

7. katherine donnaud Says:
   May 31st, 2007 at 6:51 pm

   Hello, To whom it m ay concern , I had extensive abdominal surgery, hernia repair, suturing / sewing up space in the diethaus, begining under my sternum, going all the way down to my pubic bone. Please Help me, I am so thrilled that possibly I have found the reason to all my health issues. Thank you in advance for my hopefull healing . Soon, Sincerely Katherine

8. Mary Helen Kirby Says:
   June 6th, 2007 at 3:06 pm

   I had a hernia repair in March 2003. Three weeks I had to have another operation because of an infection. As a result, I was treated with an antibodies from April until August. I am having to live with pain everyday day.

   Could this be a result of defective mesh? I would appreciate any reply.

9. Austin Kirk Says:
   June 6th, 2007 at 7:53 pm

   Mary, if you have not done so already, please request a free claim evaluation and we would be happy to speak with you in further detail regarding the problems you have experienced and help determine if you may be experiencing problems from the defective hernia mesh.

10. KC Canfield Says:
    June 16th, 2007 at 5:39 am

    I would like to find out more information regarding the failure of surgical mesh. My entire thorasic and abdominal wall was replaced by mesh. I have had vast medical problems since these procedures were done. I suffer from many seroma’s that have had to be removed since I have had the mesh in my body. My abdominal area is extended and I have had many infections. I have constant pain and many health related issues. The hernia problems are still present as the mesh has failed. What can I do and how do I find out what type of mesh was used?

11. Austin Kirk Says:
    June 16th, 2007 at 10:14 pm

    KC, your doctor should be able to tell you what type of mesh was used, or you could order the surgical reports. If you wish to contact our office, we would be happy to review this with you further.

12. pw Says:
    July 4th, 2007 at 6:38 pm

    my husband had hernia surgery in Nov.2006 he is in the hospital now with an
    infection in his stomach could it take this long for the infection to be related to
    his hernia surgery?

13. pw Says:
    July 4th, 2007 at 6:42 pm

    sorry i gave the wrong date it was Nov.2005

14. hamed metwally Says:
    July 5th, 2007 at 4:38 am

    i have done inguinal mesh repair my complication high fever sever abdominal pain large amount of discharge from vacum drainage sever local pain

15. Darrell Wright Says:
    October 4th, 2007 at 9:08 pm

    I have had three inguinal hernia repairs ,all on the left side. The last one was at U.T.M.B Galveston Tx. I am in constant pain since. They cant find the reason for my pain,Ive been to their pain clinic & they tried to help with radio waves also steroids& it didnt help. They cant find the right nerves since Ive been repaired so many times. They want to keep trying but I have enough pain allready. I work with this pain ,I have to work! They used the PROLENE HERNIA SYSTEM on me four years ago.[ so far no recall on the one I have yet] I cant keep hurting this way!

16. Lloyd R Howard Says:
    October 27th, 2007 at 5:10 pm

    My son had his right side hernia repaired in 2004 and has had no significant problems. But in 2005 he had to have the other side done and his Doctor had moved away. So another doctor did this side. It has been a complete disaster from the start. He is in constant pain and if he trys to work or do anything physical it gets much much worse. At times he can’t even hardly walk. He went to one specialist and said the mesh was too large to take out and it was rubbing or irritating a nerve. Can anything be done to help him. A young man of 23 shouldn’t be doomed to this pain and agony. Lloyd R. Howard

17. Rusty Smith Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    my dad had hernia surgery on June 3rd, 2003 in which they put these mesh patches in him. The night he got out of surgery he got a temperature of 106 degrees. 2 weeks later he had another hernia surgery to remove the mesh but he still didn’t get better because of all the infection. On July 7th, 2003 my dad died when I was only 16 years old because of these patches. Do you think I have a good case?

18. Harvey Kirk Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 11:51 pm

    Rusty,

    It is necessary that we speak with you to obtain some additional information if you wish to to review this situation involving your father. Since your father passed away over four years ago, the statute of limitations may bar your ability to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. With additional information, we may be able to help you determine whether a claim can still be pursued. Please contact our office toll free at (800) 522-0102 or request a free consultation if you wish for us to evaluate your potential claim.

19. Rusty Smith Says:
    November 2nd, 2007 at 9:50 am

    yes it has been 4 years since my dad died but since these patches were not found to be defective and recalled until december of 2005 wouldn’t that negate the statute of limitations because no one knew these patches were any problem back then?

20. Rusty Smith Says:
    November 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 am

    I have the doctor and nurse’s notes and he had 3 of the large oval kugel mesh patches inserted in him and he developed intestinal fistulae because the ring broke in the mesh and stabbed his intestines and an abcess formed inside his stomach. The doctors told us my dad was the sickest man in the hospital and they had no idea what was wrong with him.

21. geraldine smith Says:
    November 7th, 2007 at 12:47 am

    I had surgery may 2006, I had a hernated diaphram they used prolene mesh. Do they have a recall on that? I have had pain every since they put in in also, every since had problems with bowl movements.

22. Jennifer Dunn Says:
    November 28th, 2007 at 2:42 pm

    I had repair done in Aug. 2002. I had some kind of mesh with some sort of metal.I’ve had nothing but problems. Swelling, fevers, stomach pain, a discharge from my right side of my lower stomach, right back pain. The discharge is my concern. It has a very unpleasant smell. I have no clue where this is coming from. It leaks out of an old scar on the right lower part of my stomach. Then I get a hot spot that bleeds and is sore for quite some time. My doctor won’t even see me when I call for an appointment.I did not know what he put in me until I got sick and had to go to our local hospital. Do you think this is worth worrying about?

23. Barry Winiker Says:
    November 29th, 2007 at 4:57 pm

    My wife had open hernia surgery 3 months ago. She is now experiencing abdominal pain, sometimes severe. The Surgeon totally brushed it off, saying that it is “impossible” that this is related to the surgery. Reluctantly he’d be willing to see her in a week, though the issue seems to require a more urgent response. Is there any point of seeing this Dr. again, or do we find another Dr. to diagnose the problem?

24. Kathy Says:
    January 21st, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    I had hernia surgery in April 2007. The mesh was in about 6 weeks in that time I had a seroma which was drained once or twice a week, I then
    got and abcess and had to have the mesh removed and had another material put to replace the mesh, had to have that material removed also. I now have and open wound on my stomach that will not heal.

25. Ann Mc Nabb Says:
    February 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 am

    I have had a Prolene Mesh Patch put in Fall of 2006. I have heard that they reported that there was a phony Prolene out about that time and the Doctors were alerted. But do we know if mine was one of the phony ones on the market. Yesterday I could not stand or hardly walk. I hope this is not the beginning of night mares to come. I walk at times like I still have a hernia. Ann McNabb

26. A. Diederich Says:
    February 24th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    I had hernia surgery in August, 2007. I ended up with a fistula which caused a puncture in my bowel. After another 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital with nothing to eat or drink and strong doses of antibiotics, I had to have another surgery to remove the mesh patch which caused the problem. My surgeon used Proceed Mesh (Ethicon) I am still having problems with pain, bloating, nauseau, etc. nearly 6 months later. The surgeon has been nothing but helpful, but cannot figure out what is causing my problems. Has this type mesh had any recalls? Thank you.

27. M. Medina Says:
    February 29th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Had a Ventral Hernia Supraumbilical incision repair (not lapraoscopic)done in Sept. 2007. Ventralex Mesh was implanted. Less than two months later severe abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, several trips to doctors’ offices (including emergency room visits), xrays, lab tests, etc… before getting an appointment to see the surgeon who performed the repair. Had CT SCANS done then told it was a recurrent hernia (within 2 months!?). Post surgery, I was told by surgeon the mesh was very strong and recurrent hernia unlikely. ‘I only want to do this one time’, is what he said.
    Now he says, I’ll have to undergo a second surgery to repair to the same exact area and he may need to use a larger mesh.
    Not satisfied with this response. Went to a second surgeon, very detailed and thoroughly went over my records and CT SCANS (something the original surgeon did not do). Second surgeon suspects technical failure but won’t know for sure until he performs Lapraoscopic on me. He said if the mesh needs to come out he will do so. I’m scheduled in two weeks. Do I have a potential claim against first surgeon for loss of wages, pain and suffering, not being able to operate my part-time carpet/tile cleaning business, or enjoy family activities, the list goes on… Your advise is appreciated.

28. Austin Kirk Says:
    March 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm

    Medina,

    Please contact our office toll free at (800) 522-0102 or Request a consultatation so we may speak with you and review whether you may have a claim.

29. Dawn Says:
    March 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pm

    This is what has happened to me. I was a very athletic, healthy, energetic woman with no history of medical problems whatsoever ok? Then in 2002 I was rushed to emergency and admitted to hospital for two days, hooked up with morphine and the works because of Right side pain. They did every test imagninable to rule out appendicitis, hernia, and anything else. Never came back and told me they found a hernia on the tests taken, but I guess hmm, That could happen. AFter I stayed there for two days I was sent to a surgeon (Dr. Bruce Masselink)who saw me for two seconds, told me to cough and said oh, you have a femoral hernia. I had no idea what that was, but he said I need to have surgery. After I went home I kept feeling to see if I had a lump, and nothing, but I”m not a doctor yet stil a little skeptical. Went ahead and scheduled the surgery, had right side now (ingunial) hernia repair. A month out (waited to see if the pain would subside) I became more uncomfortable on my right side pelvic area and had excruciating pain. Wen to my normal visits and was told it was normal. Time went on and I got worse, At the time I had a great job and great insurance. Continued to go back and he finally decided to do an exploratory surgery to remove the mesh. Flat mesh (3×6) Prolene. Before I had the exploratory surgery I went in for right side complications still, and he noticed that I had a hernia now on the left side. Now you can just imagine what is going on in my mind. We did the left surgery before the right exploratory and everything went fine. Now back to the right side. He went in did an exploratory, I went home and about passed out because of how swollen I was. I figured it was just from the surgery, but still said omg, this doesn’t look normal. Guess what?? 5 years later that swelling is still there, and hurts to touch it even lightly. Now, after the 2nd exploratory I’m consistently going to doctors about my problems, rectal bleeding, when I had a bowel movement it felt like my insides were ripping out, and the list goes on. I had embarrassing tests (rectal) only for them to say oh, it’s nothing. So I continued suffering, and now I am becoming more depressed because no one seems to understand what is going on with my body, and not listening to the one person who knows her body more than anyone, and knows that it is normally healthy and strong, and that is me. Anyway, this went on now for a couple of years, tests, doctors appointments, now I have lost my great job of 7 years because of this. Finally in 2005 I go in and have another surgeon do another surgery on the right side. He said it was all messed up in there and did what he could to loosen entrapped nerves and the rest. Now it is 2008, I still have the mesh in the left side (bard mesh flat) and supposably the mesh was removed from the right side. When my original surgeon did the 2nd exploratory surgery he told me that he had to go around to my back to untrap nerves and remove mesh that had traveled back there, but when another doctor came in he changed his story. He told me this after I was in his office consistently complaining of back pain right after the 2nd surgery. I said this is weird, why does my back (lower right) hurt so bad. Then, a couple weeks later a test revealed that I had some fluid in my back. Primary physicians nurse told me it was an infection in my back, and my surgeon was ignoring it, and she went on to tell me that I should sue. I still ignored it hoping it would all go away. Now this is the 2nd mysterious infection I had because after the first hernia repair on the right side, I got an infection in one of my feet, on the toes which left me missing my big toenail. That was embarrassing because nothing like that has ever happened to me. Again, it was blown off as nothing. Now, when I am told I can go have a neurolgogist look at my back and drain whatever is in there, my surgeon says no. He denied me being able to go there and have them do that and I never understood why. Now I do. So that is my story and it goes on and on. Now I am jobless, have no insurance, in constant pain, on pain meds and can’t function without them, try to but feel like I am literally dying I’m in so much pain, and nothing is being done about it. Where is the justice and when is someone going to listen to us suffering that didn’t specifically have the kugel that was re-called, but other mesh used? We need compensation so we can get our family life back in order, and we need someone to listen to us now.

30. Carol Says:
    April 8th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    In 1993 I had a ventricul hernia surgery where mesh was put in. My stomach from that time on had a knot that stuck out like a sore thumb.In October 2005 I had a CTScan and it showed I had a ventricul hernia which was extremely large my hernia stuck out like a basketball from the rest of my stomach.I had this surgery May 2006 My doctor had to piece pieces of mesh together to cover the hernia. He said he had used over 300 stitches on the inside and I had 80 staples on the outside. Within a week of being released from the hospital I had several knots raised up in my stomach. I ended up in the hospital on June 14 where I was admitted for 7 days and had to have a drain put in because I had a huge abcess. June 28 I was again admitted to the hospital because of another abcess and was also hooked up to a pain machine for 14 straight days with it pumping Dilauda into me 24/7 as well as a drain and loads of IV antibotics I was in the hospital for 16 days this time. I again got another abcess which the doctor drained in his office to only have it filled back up within an hour or so.I was admitted to the hospital on July 28 for 14 more days again with lots of pain medications, drains, and loads of IV antibotics. I was again admitted to the hospital August 18 for another week with more drains, pain medication, and IV antibotics. I was admitted to the hospital again the middle of October for another abcess and again there were lots of IV antibotics and pain medication. I was there for a week. I was again admitted with two abcesses the first part of December where I was given IV antibotics and pain shots around the clock. I was again admitted in January 2007 for another abcess and then again in February, 2007 I was in the hospital again in July, 2007 with severe stomach pain which the doctors could not explain yet they said the CT scan showed signs of where an abcess had been shortly before. I had numerous emergency room visits but the doctors could not tell me what is causing my pain. I was admitted to the hospital this February 2008 and the CT Scan showed 2 more abcesses again I was treated with antibotics. I was given several medications that is suppose to help the pain the only problem is if I take the medication it helps but it knocks me out for days on end and this is no joke I will take the medication and then go to sleep for days on end.

31. Todd Henry Says:
    May 4th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    I have had pain, iritation, obstruction and swelling since a hernia repair with PROLENE mesh in 1997. It doesn’t go away and I live with it.

    I had a conventional surgery done on the other side and no problem whatsoever. I don’t believe the mesh patch is the best way to go for inguinal hernia repair.

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