Covidien Parietex Composite Mesh Lawsuit Claims Hernia Patch Dangerously Defective

According to allegations raised in a hernia mesh lawsuit recently filed against Covidien and Medtronic, Inc., the Parietex Composite Mesh is defectively designed and a danger to patients, increasing the risk of painful complications following hernia repair. 

Following the failure of the Covidien Parietex mesh, resulting in the need for revision surgery, Louisiana filed a product liability complaint (PDF) against the medical device manufacturers on January 12, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

Lacassin indicates that she underwent surgery for hernia repair in November 2011, at which time doctors implanted the Covidien Parietex Composite Mesh.

“As a result of the implantation of the unreasonably dangerous and defective Parietex Composite Mesh, Plaintiff suffered injuries including, but not limited to, scarring, pain, recurrence, and additional surgery,” the lawsuit states.

The complaint indicates that numerous reports of problems with Parietex Composite Mesh have been submitted to the FDA, maintaining that Covidien and Medtronic misrepresented the safety and effectiveness of the hernia patch to the public and medical community.

“The absorbable collagen barrier on the visceral side of Parietex Composite Mesh fails to protect the body from the hydrophilic three-dimensional polyester textile on the parietal side because the absorbable collagen barrier breaks down after coming in contact with moisture and tears easily during handling. The composition of polyester is also weak and Parietex Composite Mesh is known to unravel causing the polyester fiber to detach and travel to other parts of the body inciting an inflammatory response,” Lacassin indicates in the lawsuit. “Parietex Composite Mesh further contracts over time causing tension to increase where secured by tacks and sutures resulting in tearing.”

Lacassin presents claims for construction or composition defect, design defect, inadequate warning, breach of warranty, negligence, and redhibition. The case joins a growing number of similar cases filed over design problems with different hernia mesh products sold in recent years. In addition to cases for Covidien Parietex Mesh, similar allegation have been raised in Ethicon Physiomesh lawsuits, Atrium C-Qur lawsuits, Bard Ventralex lawsuits and other claims.