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Information on Surgical Mesh for Hernia Repairs

FDA wants to inform you about complications that may occur with the surgical mesh that is sometimes used to repair hernias, and to provide you with questions you may want to ask your surgeon before having this procedure. This is part of our commitment to keep the public informed about the medical products we regulate.

Hundreds of thousands of hernia repair operations are performed each year both with and without surgical mesh, and patients generally recover quickly and do well after surgery.

However, FDA has received reports of complications associated with the mesh. The complications include adverse reactions to the mesh, adhesions (when the loops of the intestines adhere to each other or the mesh), and injuries to nearby organs, nerves or blood vessels . Other complications of hernia repair can occur with or without the mesh, including infection, chronic pain and hernia recurrence.

Most of the complications reported to us so far have been associated with mesh products that have been recalled and are no longer on the market. For further information on the recalled products, please visit the FDA Medical Device Recall website.

We are continuing to analyze and evaluate incoming reports of adverse events, and are speaking with patients, surgeons and researchers. We will inform the public as new information becomes available.

Talking to your doctor

Before having a hernia operation, be sure to let the surgeon know if you’ve had a past reaction to materials used in surgical mesh or sutures, such as polypropylene.

There are also certain questions you should consider asking your surgeon:

• What are the pros and cons of using surgical mesh in my particular case?
• If surgical mesh will be used, is there special patient information that comes with the product, and can I have a copy?
• If surgical mesh will be used, what’s been your experience with this particular product, and with treating potential mesh complications?
• What can I expect to feel after surgery and for how long?

Reporting complications to the FDA

In order to help FDA learn more about possible problems with surgical mesh, it’s important that both physicians and patients report complications that may be associated with this product.

You can report any problems to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by FAX.

• Online : www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail : use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm
  Mail to MedWatch 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
• FAX: 1-800-FDA-0178

Related Links

• FDA Public Health Notification: Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh in Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence
• Information on Surgical Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence

Updated October 21, 2008

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