It is not clear to me what symptoms your wife is having that necessitates removal of the polypropylene mesh (is it infected? Is she having an inflammatory or allergic reaction to it?).

In any case, there are other types of synthetic and biological mesh implants available for hernia repair, and some of these might work well for your wife (simply removing--and not replacing--the current mesh will leave your wife with a hernia again).

Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

http://doctorwacher.com

My name is Tina Harden and I have had a series of hernia repairs and multiple pcs. of Marlex mesh installed in my abdomen from 1995 to 2001. I have had nothing but trouble with the mesh, as I am very thin and the mesh edges protrude up almost poking through my skin in many areas. I have had surgeons go in and trim existing mesh edges down and trim sutures that also were poking up, with no lasting relief. The discomfort is not limited to what I have mentioned, but also pokes inwards, causing debilitating pain at times. I also have had many instances where food and gas cannot pass through my intestines, and I have to lay down on my side or take a warm bath to try to get some relief. In some instances I have had to pull over while driving, recline my seat and loosen my pants, even though I was 5 minutes from home, because I could not tolerate the pain while sitting with my pants zipped.

Another setback occured last summer, with the mesh shifting once again. Since that time, I am unable to push while going to the bathroom, I have trouble with sexual relations and experience pain when sneezing or coughing.

Last summer, I saw 5 physicians in a row, all refering me to the next, all concluding that I am "not a candidate for surgery at this time". What they really mean is that they don't want to get involved in cleaning up someone else's mess.

I have never researched these mesh complications, because I was told by the doctor that did the first surgery (installing 3 pcs. - Right Ing., Left Ing., and Umbilical), that the reason I had these issues was because I was so thin and lacked a sufficient fatty layer between my abdominal muscle and my skin. But as I was searching for a doctor to help me, I began to read of other people complications and was surprised.

I am concerned that the mesh edges which cause so much discomfort will eventually perforate my bowels, organs or blood vessels and I will require emergency surgery with whoever is on duty. I am actively seeking a expert in the field of mesh removal as I have 5 pieces and know that some, if not all, have migrated.