Hernia Recall

Polypropylene mesh (Prolene) is very commonly used to repair hernias, and is well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients. From your description, it sounds like you developed an incisional infection that also involved your Prolene mesh. All types of hernia replair mesh can become similarly infected.


Sincerely,

Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

www.doctorwascher.com

www.oncoguard.com

My husband go0t a Prolene mesh in Dem, 2002. I notice last week that it appears that his hernia came back in his belly button arar. Is the Prolene mesh a Recall? let me know u can write me.

Dr. Wascher,
If you re-read this patient's entry, considering they have stated the infection occurred 5 years later, and the treatment included bowel resection..Isn't it also possible this "late stage" complication was caused by the polypropylene adhering and then eroding into the bowel, causing the patient to to require a bowel resection? The infection was the secondary complication, after the primary complication of bowel adhesion by the mesh. This very concerning complication has been known to occur with mesh also adhering/eroding into bladder, nerves and other adjacent organs.
Chronic foreign body response is a known problem with mesh usage, including decrease in abdominal wall compliance causing pain.
Note to this patient: There is no recall of Prolene mesh. There was a recall of Ethicon's Proceed mesh in 2006. Ironically, the recall was for delamination of the protective layer that was supposed to prevent the polypropylene from adhering and eroding into bowel. Prolene does not have a protective layer, so your case could have been directly caused by the direct injury by the mesh. Do not worry all day about the present mesh. Get your operative report to determine what product was used, and let us know. Work with your doctor to monitor your recovery, he endeavors to help you. If your feel your condition is beyond his scope of knowledge, work with him to investigate alternative treatment providers who are familiar with mesh complications. Good luck and feel better.

What was the manufacturer of your mesh patch???