A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening in the body. Most hernias occur when a piece of intestine slips through a weakness in the abdominal wall, creating a bulge you can see and feel. Hernias can develop in the groin (inguinal hernia), around the navel (umbilical hernia), or any place where you may have had a surgical incision (ventral hernia).

The only way to effectively treat a hernia and provide lasting relief is to have it surgically repaired. Hernia repair is one of the most common types of surgery performed in the U.S.The hernia is identified and placed back into the abdomen. The weak tissue is then reinforced, most often with a synthetic mesh, to prevent the hernia from pushing through the weak spot again.

C.R. Bard Inc. and its subsidiary Davol Inc. issued a recall of the Kugel® patch back on December 22, 2005. The recall included various different at least six differently sized and shaped versions of the Bard ® Composix ® Kugel^TM Mesh Patches. It is estimated that approximately 32,000 defective patches were used through the United States.

On February 1, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") issued a safety alert Composix stating that due to the defect associated with the use or exposure to the Bard ® Composix ® Kugel TM Mesh Patch, there was a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences including death. The use of this patch has also been associated with such side effects as persistent abdominal pain, fever, tenderness at the site of the implant site and other unusual symptoms.

If you or a loved have had a Bard ® Composix ® Kugel^TM Mesh Patch inserted to repair a hernia and have experienced any of the following symptoms:

bowel perforation;
bowel obstruction;
chronic intestinal fistulae (abnormal passageways between the intestines and other organs);
infection or;
death

Eichen Levinson and Crutchlow protecting your loved ones, protecting you. Call the office for a free evaluation of your case.