Why Hernia Mesh Fails: A Guide to Defects

A hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. For millions of people, it promises a return to a life free from pain and discomfort. A key component of modern hernia repair is surgical mesh, a medical device implanted to reinforce weakened tissue and prevent the hernia from recurring. While many procedures are successful, a significant number of patients experience devastating complications years later, not from the surgery itself, but from the very device meant to help them.

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of hernia mesh, alleging that these products are defectively designed and are causing catastrophic injuries. At Walch Law, we have seen the life-altering consequences of these failed medical devices. If you or a loved one has suffered after a hernia repair, understanding how and why the mesh can fail is the first step toward seeking justice. Ready to get the justice you deserve? Call Walch Law now- 1-844-999-5342

What is Hernia Mesh and How is it Supposed to Work?

Surgical hernia mesh is a screen-like implant used to provide support to damaged or weakened tissue. After a surgeon pushes the herniated tissue back into place, the mesh is placed over or under the weakened area and sutured, stapled, or glued in place. Over time, the patient’s own tissue is meant to grow into the pores of the mesh, creating a strong, permanent wall of tissue that prevents recurrence.

The mesh itself is typically made from synthetic polymers, most commonly polypropylene—the same type of plastic used to make products like fishing line and outdoor carpeting. While manufacturers have claimed this material is inert and safe for implantation, a growing body of evidence suggests otherwise.

Common Defects: How Hernia Mesh Fails

The core issue in most hernia mesh lawsuits is that the materials and design of the mesh are fundamentally flawed. These defects can cause the device to behave in dangerous and unpredictable ways once inside the human body.

1. Mesh Material Degradation and Erosion

Many hernia mesh products are made from polypropylene. Lawsuits allege that manufacturers knew or should have known that this material is not biologically inert and can degrade when exposed to oxygen and the body’s natural inflammatory response. As the plastic breaks down, it becomes brittle and can crack or fracture.

This degradation leads to mesh erosion, where the sharp, fragmented edges of the mesh begin to wear through surrounding soft tissues or organs. The mesh can erode into the bowel, bladder, or other abdominal structures, causing severe pain, infections, and organ perforation.

2. Mesh Shrinkage and Contraction

Once implanted, hernia mesh can shrink or contract significantly over time. Some studies have shown that certain types of mesh can shrink by as much as 30% to 50%. This shrinkage pulls on the surrounding tissues, nerves, and sutures, creating immense tension.

This constant pulling can lead to:

Chronic, debilitating pain that is often described as sharp, burning, or stabbing.
A feeling of a lump or hardness at the repair site.
Hernia recurrence, as the shrunken mesh pulls away from the abdominal wall, reopening the very hole it was meant to repair.

3. Unsafe Coatings and Adhesion

To combat the known inflammatory properties of polypropylene, some manufacturers added coatings to their mesh products. These coatings, often derived from fish oil or other materials, were designed to act as a barrier between the mesh and internal organs, theoretically preventing adhesion.

However, lawsuits allege that these coatings were also defective. In many cases, the coating would be absorbed by the body too quickly, leaving the bare polypropylene mesh exposed to the organs. In other instances, the coating itself prompted a severe inflammatory response.

This leads to adhesion, where dense scar tissue forms and fuses the mesh to internal organs like the intestines or colon. When the mesh and organs become stuck together, it can cause bowel obstruction, chronic pain, and make removal surgery incredibly complex and dangerous.

Devastating Complications from Defective Mesh

When hernia mesh fails, the consequences for the patient can be life-altering. The complications are often far more severe than the original hernia itself and can require multiple, high-risk surgeries to correct.

Common complications include:

Chronic Pain: Severe, unrelenting pain that does not respond to medication and can leave patients unable to work or perform daily activities.
Infection: The mesh can become a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to persistent, hard-to-treat infections, abscesses, and sepsis.
Organ Perforation: As the mesh erodes, it can puncture the bowel, bladder, or other organs, causing a life-threatening medical emergency.
Bowel Obstruction: Adhesions can twist or block the intestines, requiring emergency surgery.
Hernia Recurrence: The failure of the mesh often leads to the hernia coming back, necessitating another repair.
Complex Removal Surgeries: Removing failed hernia mesh is an extremely difficult and risky procedure. Because the mesh is designed for tissue to grow into it, surgeons must painstakingly cut it out of healthy tissue and organs, which can lead to further damage.

Manufacturer Responsibility and Your Legal Options

Medical device manufacturers have a legal and ethical duty to ensure their products are safe and effective. Lawsuits allege that many hernia mesh manufacturers knew about the risks of material degradation, shrinkage, and adhesion but failed to warn doctors and patients. Instead, they marketed their products as safe and effective, prioritizing profits over patient safety.

If you have suffered complications from a hernia mesh implant, you may be entitled to significant compensation. A successful lawsuit can help you recover damages for:

Past and future medical expenses (including removal surgeries and long-term care).
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
Pain and suffering.
Loss of quality of life.

Holding these manufacturers accountable not only provides justice for victims but also pushes the industry to create safer medical devices for everyone.

Walch Law Can Help You Fight Back- Hernia Mesh Law Firm Near YOU

Living with the consequences of a failed hernia mesh implant can be a painful and isolating experience. You do not have to face this fight alone. The attorneys at Walch Law are experienced in handling complex product liability cases against large medical device corporations. We understand the science behind mesh failure and know how to build a powerful case to prove that a defective product caused your injuries.

You were promised a solution to your health problems, not the beginning of a new nightmare. It is time to hold the manufacturers accountable for the harm they have caused. Contact Walch Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us review your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.