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What Is Mesh Erosion?

Mesh patches, made of synthetic material, are used often for large hernias. Mesh patches can also be used for any type of skin grafting when an injured area needs to be covered, such as bladder suspension surgery. Unfortunately, some mesh patches may erode, which involves the synthetic material breaking down and disintegrating.

  1. Symptoms of Mesh Erosion

    • Usually when mesh patches are used during surgery to repair hernias, the graft starts healing before the tissue starts to erode so that the injury heals well. When the patch starts to erode before the wound area has healed, the patient may suffer from abscesses, a high level of pain where the surgery occurred, inflammation or swelling. Typically, this means the patient may need to have further treatment to address the patch issue.

    Mesh Complications

    • Mesh complications can occur during surgery due to incorrect placement or defective mesh patches. Infections can cause the mesh to erode. Patients who have had mesh grafts for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence may experience erosion through vaginal epithelium, pain, urinary problems, and/or recurrence of prolapse and incontinence. In some instances, mesh erosion led to discomfort/pain and dyspareunia, significantly lowering their quality of life.

    Treatment of Mesh Erosion

    • Treatment for mesh complications, such as erosion, include additional surgical procedures, removal of the mesh, replacement with new mesh, blood transfusions, IV therapy and drainage of hematomas/abscesses. Factors that may contribute to mesh erosion include the size/shape of the mesh patch, the mesh material, the surgical technique utilized and the particular medical issue involved.

    Kugel Mesh Patch Recall

    • In 2005, the Federal Drug Administration recalled a mesh patch known as the Bard Composix Kugel Mesh Patch. This particular mesh patch is used for ventral hernias, also known as incisional hernias, which may occur after surgery. The patch has a "memory recoil ring" which can break. When this happens, the patient may experience ruptures in the bowel or develop abnormal connections between the intestines and other organs in the body. If you have these type of hernia mesh patch, you should consult the surgeon who operated on you.

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