Atlanta Kugel Mesh Litigation Attorneys

The Atlanta law firm of Henry Spiegel Milling LLP handles injury claims related to defective or dangerous medical devices or systems, including cases involving the Kugel mesh hernia patch. Our personal injury and products liability lawyers represent clients throughout Georgia.

Risks & Dangers Associated with the Kugel Mesh Hernia Patch

The medical device manufacturer Davol, Inc. introduced its Kugel mesh patches in 1996, advertising that the patch could make hernia operations easier for surgeons and reduce post-surgery pain for patients. It soon became apparent, however, that the patches caused severe complications in many patients, including:

• Bowel perforations

  • an opening in the intestinal wall allowing waste to flow into the abdominal cavity, which if left untreated can lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal blood infection; symptoms include abdominal pain, high fever, nausea, and vomiting

• Bowel obstructions

  • a blockage in the intestines that does not allow waste to pass normally, which can cause infection, gangrene, or bowel perforation; symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain

• Chronic enteric fistulas

  • abnormal connections between the intestines and other organs, resulting in acute abdominal pain and/or infection that can spread to the blood stream

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kugel mesh patches were designed to repair ventral hernias caused by the thinning or stretching of scar tissue that forms after surgery. The special feature of the patches is a “memory recoil ring” that allows the patch to be folded for insertion, and then spring open and lay flat once in place, thus reinforcing the weakened tissue until it heals.

Several varieties of the Kugel mesh patches were recalled by Davol starting in 2005, after reports suggested that the memory recoil ring can break under the stress of certain surgical techniques. In fact, the company received 10 adverse event reports in just three months, including one possible fatality. The FDA also determined that Davol’s system of tracking and reporting patient complaints about Kugel mesh complications contained serious flaws, which obscured the frequency and severity of injuries arising from Kugel mesh implants.

Experienced Defective Mesh Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one underwent hernia surgery involving the Kugel mesh patch and suffered complications, please contact Henry Spiegel Milling LLP through our website or by calling (404) 832-8000. You may be able to recover money damages arising from the implant. During a free consultation, we can discuss your potential claims and a reasonable attorney fee for your case. You pay no fees, however, until we win compensation on your behalf through verdict or settlement.