RECALLED HERNIA MESH AND THE INJURIES IT CAUSED – WHAT THEY KNEW, WHEN THEY KNEW IT

Hernias are a medical condition where organs or pieces of fatty tissue protrude through the muscle walls or connective tissues. Not all hernias present with symptoms, but some can be painful and require reparative surgery—often using hernia mesh. The problem with certain mesh products is that they can migrate, erode, perforate organs, and more.

WHAT THEY KNEW

In 2010, the FDA fast-tracked Physiomesh through the approval process because Ethicon claimed it was similar to other mesh products on the market. This allowed Ethicon to skip expensive testing and they could start making money sooner.

The problem with Physiomesh is that it had a new design that wasn’t tested thoroughly before it was placed on the market. This faulty design has a slippery coating on both sides which allows it to move around in the body and doesn’t stay in the intended place to fix a hernia; when the slippery coating is absorbed in the body, the sharp edges of the mesh are exposed and can tear through organs and tissue causing immense damage and pain. Secondly, the plastic used in the mesh is thin and fragile. Once the coating is dissolved, the mesh can break apart causing sharp plastic to travel into the abdomen causing more damage. This problem isn’t an easy fix, either. Wherever the mesh moves in the body, tissue starts to grow in and around it and cannot be easily removed.

WHEN THEY KNEW IT

On May 25, 2016, Ethicon, the maker of Physiomesh and a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, published an “Urgent Field Safety Notice” voluntarily recalling the Physiomesh implant. This was the result of two European hernia studies that determined that Physiomesh dangers outweighed its potential benefits.

The Physiomesh implant was rushed through approval processes, because manufacturers believed it showed promise in treating ventral hernias. Sadly, they were wrong. One issue that was quickly identified with Physiomesh is that it has a smooth, slick coating on both sides while other hernia meshes only use the coating on one side. The problem with this design is that it can cause the mesh to move around causing internal damage. Secondly, Physiomesh is thinner and more lightweight than other meshes resulting in recurrent hernias.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you had Physiomesh implant surgery and are experiencing complications, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Did you have hernia surgery between October 2010 and June 2016 and experienced hernia recurrence, corrective surgery, mesh migration or erosion, or severe infections? If so, we would love to talk to you to see if we can help you. You may have expensive medical bills or your injuries may have made it impossible for you to work.

But act today – Ethicon, the manufacturer of Physiomesh, recalled their product in May 2016. About half of the states have a statute of limitations (deadline) of two years, so it is critical to act today as an advocate for yourself. Join the countless other patients who have decided that these hernia mesh companies need to be held accountable for the harmful products.

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