Studies and patient reports in recent years have highlighted the potential health risks related to synthetic hernia mesh used to repair abdominal hernias, which may be more dangerous than other available mesh products. C.R. Bard’s PerFix Plug is one such synthetic hernia mesh device made of polypropylene. Patients and attorneys contend the PerFix Plug hernia mesh is not compatible with human tissue, causing injuries and leading to infections, abdominal abscesses and fistulas.
Studies have shown that biological mesh products incorporate better into the human body than synthetic mesh, but medical device companies and surgeons still continue to implant devices like the PerFix Plug and other mesh devices, even with the known higher failure rate.
As a result, Bard and other device companies have issued a recall for one or more of their hernia mesh models. Unfortunately, recalls are only initiated many times after injuries have occurred.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Cincinnati, Ohio product liability lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of defective medical device claims against Bard, Covidien, Atrium, Aspide, Gore and Ethicon.
PerFix Plug Lawsuits
Device manufacturers like C.R. Bard produce and sell synthetic hernia mesh devices that have not been properly tested before they are released to the public. Bard has been targeted in lawsuits for years because of the terrible risks associated with their mesh devices.
There are situations where the use of surgical mesh for hernia repair is necessary, but the risks may include adhesions, infections, severe pain, hernia recurrence, bowel obstruction and organ damage. Numerous recipients of defective hernia mesh devices undergo corrective surgeries due to injury and complications.
Plaintiffs filing lawsuits claim that the design of the PerFix Plug hernia mesh prevents it from incorporating into the body, can prevent fluid drainage, and may lead to infections, tissue damage, mesh migration and adhesion.
PerFix Plug Hernia Mesh Injury
Based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) compiling of adverse event reports, the most common complications for hernia mesh patients include pain, infection, hernia recurrence, adhesion, abdominal obstruction, bleeding, fistula, and tissue perforation.
An adhesion is scar tissue that binds two parts of tissue together, causing the majority of small bowel obstructions, and are believed to contribute to chronic pelvic pain. An internal infection can present itself many years after implantation. Common complications following mesh hernia surgery include:
- Bowel blockage
- Infection
- Fistula
- Hernia recurrence
- Adhesion
- Bowel obstruction
- Mesh migration
- Granuloma
According to lawsuits, C.R. Bard knew that the Bard Perfix Plug could cause serious complications, but failed to provide adequate warnings. Some evidence shows the mesh material is biologically incompatible with human tissue and can contribute to the formation of severe adverse reactions to the mesh.
Plaintiffs have filed claims of manufacturing defects, design defects, failure to warn, corporate negligence, breach of warranty, violation of consumer protection laws, and allegations of fraud.
