| content"> A hernia mesh infection can occur after the | | | | Bard, Composix, and Kugel mesh patches. The letter |
| mesh is implanted in the body. While an infection can | | | | stated that surgeons and hospitals should stop using |
| occur during any hernia surgerywith or without a | | | | the recalled product and return unused units to the |
| mesh patcha pattern has developed that shows | | | | company. |
| that one manufacturer’s hernia mesh patches, in | | | | What effects do hernia mesh infections cause? |
| particular, are causing these infections. | | | | In some cases, the ring in the Kugel mesh patch has |
| What manufacturer and what products are causing | | | | broken. This has caused the hernia mesh infection, |
| infections? | | | | which has lead to severe injuries to patients’ |
| The hernia mesh patches that have been associated | | | | internal organs and tissue, including bowel obstructions, |
| with infections were manufactured by Davol, Inc. They | | | | bowel perforations, and chronic enteric fistulas. Other |
| have been released under the brand names Bard, | | | | complications include adverse reactions to the mesh, |
| Composix, and Kugel. These mesh patches were | | | | adhesions (when the loops of the intestines adhere to |
| approved by the FDA in 1996. | | | | each other or the mesh), and injuries to nerves or |
| Are these products still on the market? | | | | blood vessels. |
| The hernia mesh patches that have caused most | | | | What should I talk to my doctor about before receiving |
| infections are no longer on the market. The first recall | | | | a hernia mesh? |
| was issued on December 22, 2005, when Davol, Inc. | | | | Before having a hernia operation, be sure to let the |
| recalled its extra large Kugel mesh patch. In March | | | | surgeon know if you’ve had a past reaction to |
| 2006, the recall was expanded. Since the March 2006 | | | | materials used in surgical mesh or sutures, such as |
| recall expansion, Davol received four confirmed | | | | polypropylene. The FDA also recommends that you |
| complaints of recoil ring breakage from one of their | | | | ask specific questions about hernia mesh |
| product codes manufactured between January 2004 | | | | complications, including the pros and cons of using a |
| and September 2005. Davol issued letters to hospitals | | | | surgical mesh, and, if a surgical mesh will be used, |
| and health care professionals on March 24, 2006, | | | | what’s been the doctor’s experience |
| alerting them to the additional recalled products. | | | | with this particular product, and with treating potential |
| On January 10, 2007, Davol, Inc. issued another hernia | | | | hernia mesh complications? |
| mesh recall for patches that were manufactured | | | | What should I do if I have suffered an infection from a |
| before October 2005. Davol sent letters to health care | | | | hernia mesh? |
| professionals and distributors notifying them of the | | | | If you have experienced any hernia mesh infection, |
| most recent expansion of this recall of specific lots of | | | | seek immediate medical treatment. |