Can Mesh From Hernia Repair Cause Problems Years Later?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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mesh surgery

Can abdominal hernia mesh cause pain years later?

Some people suffer chronic hernia mesh pain that interferes with their daily activities and

can last from several months to years

. Symptoms include a burning sensation at the surgery site, swelling and pain during intercourse, and the pain may be caused by nerve damage or a reaction to the mesh.

What happens to hernia mesh over time?

Non-absorbable mesh will remain in the body indefinitely and is considered a permanent implant. It is used to provide permanent reinforcement to the repaired hernia.

Absorbable mesh will degrade and lose strength over time

. It is not intended to provide long-term reinforcement to the repair site.

How do I know if my hernia mesh is torn years later?

The symptoms or signs of a torn or ripped hernia mesh implant are similar to mesh failure symptoms, which includes:

Bloating and/or an inability to pass stools or gas

. Fever when its cause is unknown. Chills, nausea, and/or vomiting.

What are symptoms of mesh problems?


Pain with sexual intercourse

, which your partner may also experience due to encountering loosening vaginal mesh material. Vaginal bleeding that isn’t related to your menstrual cycle. Persistent pelvic pain. Worsening incontinence, discomfort with urination, and other urinary symptoms.

Can abdominal mesh cause problems?


Breakage – mesh can break, causing hernia recurrence, pain and other problems

. Shrinkage – when mesh shrinks it pulls tissues together, causing chronic pain. Migration – mesh moves from the original surgery site, protruding from tissues and potentially causing organ perforation, hernia recurrence and pain.

How common are hernia mesh complications?

While surgical meshes are effective in the majority of patients who have hernia repair surgeries, there is a high rate of complications.

Nearly 4% of patients who have hernia mesh surgery will experience hernia mesh complications

. When a person has hernia mesh complications, they can be serious and long-lasting.

How do I know if my hernia has recurred?

How are recurrent hernias diagnosed? Your doctor will carefully examine your abdominal area after reviewing your medical and surgical history. You could be asked to stand and cough so the doctor can see or feel a bulge that would indicate that your hernia has returned.

Can mesh cause autoimmune disease?

A rheumatologist from the University of Alberta in Canada has found that

high reports of autoimmune disorder symptoms in patients could be due to surgical mesh implants

, often used for hernia or gynaecological repair.

What does hernia mesh failure feel like?

Mesh used for hernia repair surgery has a high failure rate that can cause serious complications for patients, even years after the implant. Seven common signs and symptoms of hernia mesh failure include

bulging, burning, constipation, impotent and sexual dysfunction, nausea, lethargy, and pain

.

Can hernia mesh cause bowel problems?

Complications from surgery, including ones involving defective hernia mesh,

can also lead to bowel obstructions

. When post-operative scar tissue or adhesions (bands of scar tissue) form in the large or small intestines, the resulting blockages can lead to acute or chronic health problems.

Can hernia mesh cause inflammation?


Hernia mesh infection happens when bacteria grow on mesh implants, causing symptoms such as fever, inflammation and pain

. Some types of mesh may be more likely to become infected, and the risk of infection goes up in people with other health problems such as obesity or diabetes.

Can hernia mesh be seen on CT scan?

Even though

hernia meshes can have a wide range of visibility on CT scans, from always visible to identifiable to invisible

, doctors still consider CT scans to be the best imaging option for diagnosing complications with a hernia mesh implant.

Is it normal to have pain years after hernia surgery?

When you have surgery to repair a painful inguinal hernia (where soft tissue bulges through a weak part of your abdominal wall) you likely expect the surgery to relieve your pain. It does for most people, but

for others groin pain may last for months — or even years — after surgery

. Inguinal hernia repair is common.

How do I know if I have mesh erosion?

Symptoms of mesh erosion into the bladder/urethra include

painful voiding, urinary frequency, urgency, hematuria, recurrent urinary tract infection, urinary calculi and urinary fistula

.

Does muscle grow over hernia mesh?

Hernia mesh surgery is usually safe and effective.


As the body heals, your own tissue will grow over and around the mesh

.

How do you know if something is wrong after hernia surgery?

Area around the surgical site is unusually warm, hot, sore and/or tender. Fever or other flu-like symptoms. Nausea and/or vomiting. Wound isn’t healing properly or is unusually inflamed.

Can a hernia be repaired twice?

Traditional hernia repairs that simply stitch the hernia closed and do not use mesh have the highest rate of recurrence. It is estimated that

up to 30% of such repairs can recur

. This is because the tissue around the suture can weaken over time and abdominal stress can eventually cause the tissue to tear.

Is hernia mesh Safe 2021?

“Mesh is needed in certain hernias and

when placed correctly — and under the right circumstances — it is safe

,” he says. Much research remains to be done, however.

Can you get a hernia in the same spot twice?


It is rare for an inguinal hernia to come back (1 to 3 percent chance, depending on the type of hernia and many other factors)

. Incisional hernias are more likely to return. When a hernia comes back after being repaired, this is called a recurrence.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.