Parker Waichman LLP

AlloDerm

  AlloDerm Linked To Some Serious Complications. AlloDerm, a surgical mesh used in hernia repair and breast reconstruction surgery, has been linked to some serious complications when used in hernia surgery, according to some recent studies. Lawyers in our firm who practice exclusively in the area of defective medical devices are investigating ‘AlloDerm’ failures. If […]

AlloDerm Complications

 

AlloDerm Linked To Some Serious Complications. AlloDerm, a surgical mesh used in hernia repair and breast reconstruction surgery, has been linked to some serious complications when used in hernia surgery, according to some recent studies.

Lawyers in our firm who practice exclusively in the area of defective medical devices are investigating ‘AlloDerm’ failures. If you have suffered complications from AlloDerm, we want to hear from you today.

When AlloDerm has been used in hernia repair, it has been linked to serious, even life-threatening, complications, including pain and swelling, hernia recurrence, mesh tear, mesh erosion, adhesion problems, abscess and infection. All too often, victims of ‘AlloDerm’ hernia repair complications must undergo additional surgical procedures to correct the problem.

LifeCell only recently began marketing ‘AlloDerm’ for hernia repair, and much of the science supporting this use of AlloDerm was, in fact, funded by LifeCell. Unfortunately, when ‘AlloDerm’ has been used for hernia repair, it appears to be failing at an alarming rate.

One study published in 2008 in the journal “Hernia,” for example, reported that the overall complication rate associated with ‘AlloDerm’ hernia repairs among patients at one institution was as high 24 percent.

Most of the complications seen in that study involved hernia recurrence, while one rejection and two infections were reported. According to another study, approximately 8 percent of ‘AlloDerm’ patients require explant surgery, compared to 1.6 percent in control groups.

Serious ‘AlloDerm’ complications can cause injuries to nearby organs, nerves and blood vessels. AlloDerm hernia complications may require patients to undergo a potentially painful procedure called mesh explant, or the removal of the graft.

Reports of AlloDerm Hernia Recurrence

Reports of hernia recurrence and other AlloDerm failures have made it apparent that this product did not undergo adequate testing as a hernia repair option. ‘AlloDerm’ hernia patch failures can result in a number of potentially painful complications, and may leave patients in worse condition than they were before their surgery.

‘AlloDerm’ has been shown in multiple cases to require further medical procedures as a result of mesh perforation that can weaken and allow a hernia to reoccur.

If you suffered an AlloDerm failure following hernia surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our defective medical device lawyers are offering free case evaluations to victims of ‘AlloDerm’ failures. We urge you to contact us today to protect your legal rights.

AlloDerm is a patented tissue matrix that was originally developed in 1994 by LifeCell as a graft for burn patients. AlloDerm is intended to promote tissue growth in the areas where it is surgically inserted so that a patient’s cells will effectively repopulate the treated area. Its applications have since come to include facial reconstruction, hernia repair and breast reconstruction.

‘AlloDerm’ is made from donated human cadaver skin. The donated skin goes through a process to remove all of the cells in the top layer and the entire dermis, leaving the collagen and elastin framework of the skin. Unfortunately, it appears that few long term studies have followed people who received ‘AlloDerm’ for hernia repair.

Some studies have indicated that ‘AlloDerm’, when used in hernia repair, can cause complications and result in a high rate of hernia recurrence. These studies indicate that hernia patients implanted with ‘AlloDerm’ have the shortest follow-up period and the highest overall failure rate compared to patients repaired with other hernia repair products. It is becoming apparent that ‘AlloDerm’ needs design improvement in order to prevent hernia recurrence.

Serious AlloDerm complications include injuries to nearby organs

Serious ‘AlloDerm’ complications include injuries to nearby organs, nerves and blood vessels as well as adverse reactions to the mesh and adhesions (where the loops of a patient’s intestines adhere to the mesh or each other). Some of the AlloDerm complications known to have occurred when it is used hernia repair include:

  • Ring Breakage: This can lead to hernia recurrence, abdominal abscess, inflammation and swelling.
  • Mesh Tear: This can result in hernia recurrence, infection and additional surgeries.
  • Mesh Perforations: The perforations required for the preparation of this product could develop weakness of tissue that would allow the hernia to reoccur.
  • Adhesion Issues: Many doctors have reported a failure of adhesion and proper healing of surgical incisions with the use of ‘AlloDerm’.
  • Mesh Erosion: Grafts like ‘AlloDerm’ have a known risk of erosion. This leaves the patient with no option but to undergo further painful and expensive procedures.

These ‘AlloDerm’ complications may require patients to undergo a potentially painful procedure called mesh explant, or the removal of the graft. With ‘AlloDerm’, explantation is most commonly needed due to infected fluid collections. According to one study, approximately 8 percent of AlloDerm patients require explant surgery, compared to 1.6 percent in control groups.

Need Legal Help Regarding Victims of AlloDerm Complications?

AlloDerm failures, especially those associated with hernia recurrence, can be extremely painful. If you or a loved one suffered hernia recurrence or some other complication after surgery involving AlloDerm, you may have valuable legal rights. To discuss your case with one of our AlloDerm failure lawyers, please fill out our online form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today.

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