Polypropylene Plastic in Hernia Mesh Less Thoroughly Tested Than in Home Appliances

Have you suffered a serious injury due to a defective polypropylene hernia mesh?

Then you should know that experts have already denounced the use of polypropylene plastic implants in surgeries that have impacted thousands of people's lives.

Polypropylene is a common material in packaging and, when implanted in the body, is unstable and can break down.

Surgical meshes made from polypropylene are used in hernia repair and have been widely used for decades to treat incontinence and prolapse in women.

Until April 16, 2019, manufacturers of transvaginal mesh had clearance from the FDA to use a brand of polypropylene called 'Marlex" made by a subsidiary of Chevron Phillips. But as early as 2004, Chevron Phillips warned that Marlex must not be used for permanent implantation in the human body.

What can happen to polypropylene mesh once implanted?

Although manufacturers say this material is safe, polypropylene plastic is rejected by the body, and the mesh degrades once inside a person.

Experts like Dr. Chris DeArmitt and Duane Priddy have argued that the polypropylene used in implants is not safe. Their expertise has been called upon during court action against manufacturers.

They stress that there is an absolute disregard for safety testing on the plastic material used in implants, way less than you would see on home appliances.

Plastic materials experts say that polypropylene is oxidatively unstable, which means it's attacked by air, similar to an apple.

Therefore, it's just going to fail, go brittle, and fall into pieces. It's not going to last long enough in the body.

Also, polypropylene plastic can cause an inflammatory reaction because it is not bio-compatible, leading to inflammation and pain.

The majority of mesh is made from polypropylene, but other polymers are used as well, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET,) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF.) The same conclusions do not apply to all mesh because each polymer has its pros and cons. Not all Marlex surgery mesh is the same.

Even a successful hernia mesh surgery can cause chronic pain and other life-changing complications. People will react differently to mesh as no immune system is the same. Unfortunately, there is a notable lack of long-term studies looking into the problem.

Why is polypropylene unsuitable for a medical implant?

If you or a loved one has required hernia mesh revision surgery, you may be entitled to compensation.

Atraxia Law can help you determine if you qualify for a defective hernia mesh claim at no cost and no obligation. The experienced and knowledgeable team of experts at Atraxia Law will carefully go over your specific situation to get a clear understanding of your needs. Contact us today to start the evaluation process.