Kugel Hernia Patch

The Bard Composix Kugel Hernia Patch is used to repair ventral hernias. This mesh hernia repair patch was developed by Dr. Robert Kugel. It consists of a bilayer polypropylene patch with a self-retaining outer memory recoil ring. The patches are used for hernia repair caused by thinning or stretching of scar tissue that forms after hernia surgery. According to Davol, there have been over 78,000 Kugel hernia patches distributed.

Hernia Repair Surgery

A hernia is a weakness in either the lining of the abdomen or the pelvic wall. If you have a hernia there is no acceptable nonsurgical medical treatment option available. Unfortunately, many patients who have received recalled Kugel mesh have experienced serious hernia patch side effects such as bowel perforations, bowel obstructions and chronic enteric fistulas. Around 600,000 hernia operations are performed each year in the United States. When most people refer to a hernia they are typically referring to an abdominal hernia.

Kugel Mesh Complications

The Kugel patch used in hernia repair was originally recalled in December 2005. Kugel mesh complications such as bowel perforations can be caused by the “memory coil ring” that open the Kugel mesh patch if it breaks under the stress of placement. If the ring breaks causing a hernia repair mesh failure the resulting injuries can be serious and sometimes permanent. The main problem is that the Kugel mesh is placed near internal organs and if the recoil ring breaks an exposed sharp edge can lead to bowel perforations or chronic intestinal fistulae.

Kugel Mesh Recall

Davol first announced a Kugel mesh patch recall in 2005 after it was discovered that the “memory recoil ring”, which opens the patch after it is implanted, can break under the stress of placement in the intra-abdominal space. The hernia patch recall was later expanded to include additional product codes and lot numbers.

Hernia Patch Lawsuit

A Composix Kugel mesh class action lawsuit has been filed in Rhode Island and individual hernia patch lawsuits have been filed by patients throughout the United States injured by defective Kugel patches. Reported problems with the defective hernia repair recoil rings breaking increased leading to a recall in 2005. According to a March 2007 article in the New York Times, Davol knew of problems with the Kugel mesh patch years before the 2005 recall.

If you or a loved one have experienced Kugel mesh complications following an implant of a recalled patch or suffered injuries due to a hernia repair mesh failure you may have a claim against the manufacturer.

Please contact us today by either calling 612-370-1511 or Toll Free 1-888-343-5375 or by filling out our brief contact form for a free, confidential no-obligation review of your Kugel mesh patch recall case.