Surgical mesh has proven to be dangerous in a number of different contexts. Artificial materials made out of chemicals generally do not fare well in the human body. Now, the latest issue with mesh products is in breast implants. The FDA is warning that the surgical mesh used in breast implants can cause risks. We are investigating potential Mesh breast implant lawsuits. You may be entitled to financial compensation. We urge you to come forward and contact us if you or a loved one have been injured by this mesh.
In General, Surgical Mesh Is Unsafe
The general public is very familiar with the issues surrounding surgical mesh. Transvaginal mesh was used in surgeries to treat pelvic organ prolapse, and it resulted in devastating complications for hundreds of thousands of women. This led to massive lawsuit settlements to compensate these injured women. Hernia mesh lawsuits are soon going to trial, and they could mean that product makers are on the hook for billions of dollars in damages if they lose the case. The issue with these types of mesh is that they could fray and migrate out of place, leaving it stuck in the body and damaging internal organs. Another issue with these types of surgical mesh is that it can become infected inside the body, sometimes requiring emergency surgery.
In breast implants, surgeons will use a thin flat sheet of mesh to help stabilize the implant. The surgeon will sew the sheet into the muscle beneath the implant to create a physical structure to house the implant. Here, the mesh is affixed to the muscle, so it would not have the migration issue. The problem is that the mesh could become infected.
Surgical mesh is often made out of a material called polypropylene. This is a type of plastic that could also be used to make things like packaging and auto parts. You could imagine how this may not be the best thing to be permanently housed in the human body. The mesh manufacturers promise that their product is inert, meaning that it cannot be tainted with bacteria and host infections. In practice, this is far from the truth. Surgical mesh can become infected when it is used in breast implant surgery. Regardless of the type of material, many different types of surgical mesh can host infections.
The Impacts of Surgical Mesh Infections Can Be Devastating
When that happens, the consequences for the woman can be devastating. Once the implant is sewn in, the mesh is in a hard to reach place. The surgeon may need to perform another procedure to remove the implant and the mesh. The woman may need another implant procedure if they could even have the surgery again at all.
The FDA claims that it has not approved or cleared any type of surgical mesh specifically for breast implant surgery. According to the FDA, use of surgical mesh is a matter to be discussed between the doctor and patient. The FDA puts it on the patient to learn about the risks and challenge their doctor about the use of mesh. Most patients are not educated enough on mesh issues to have this discussion and raise these concerns.
The FDA Warns About the Following Breast Implant Surgical Mesh Brands
Given the dangers, the FDA has issued a warning to the public. The FDA’s warning specifically concerns the following brands:
- FlexHD
- AlloMax
These brands have high rates of infection and failure. Patients have an elevated risk of having the mesh removed and needing follow-up surgery. Instead of being made from polypropylene, this particular mesh is made out of human and animal skin. This material is definitely not inert, and it can be more prone to infection. However, the FDA’s warning places the onus on the patient to speak with their doctor about the benefits and risks of this particular mesh. Nonetheless, doctors may think twice about which mesh to use with their surgeries because they may also be liable if their patient is injured.
You May Be Eligible for Financial Compensation
Patients who have had breast implant surgery and have developed infections from the surgical mesh may be eligible for financial compensation. If they have needed follow-up surgeries or have spent years in pain, the company that made the mesh may be liable for their damages. This could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills out of your pocket
- Lost wages for the time missed from work
- Emotional distress
The FDA just recently released its warning about these types of breast implant mesh. We have begun an investigation and would like to speak with you if you have encountered any complications. We expect there to be lawsuits filed in the near future, and we can represent you if you or a loved one have experienced this side effect.
