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Removal of mesh after inguinal hernia repair.

Posted , 103 users are following.

adele_89294
adele_89294

Is anyone out there aware of any person who has had to have mesh removed due do mesh inguinodynia after inguinal hernia repair with mesh?

6 likes, 596 replies

596 Replies

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  • mike21770
    mike21770 adele_89294

    Posted

    Hi Douglas, really sorry to hear about that. I am almost positive that in this case you will be prescribed some cortisone Injections into the groin area. Typically when such pain develops only after certain period of time it may point out on the nerve entrapment. If the injections do not help then you may be advised to do surgery. It’s not necessarily mesh removal surgery that will be done if the surgeon decides that it’s too risky. Part of the nerve may be removed to address the pain, for example. However, it’s my speculations. Only surgeon can decide. There are surgeons who can do this without any mesh. For example, Dr Towfigh from Beverly Hills, CA is an outstanding hernia specialist who can do mesh or no mesh repairs and almost routinely does mesh removal surgeries. She runs herniatalk forum where you can get an advise. I would say that you can find surgeons in the US who can take care of this. However, affordability of such repair may be concern because multiple specialists are out of network. From what I was reading Desarda is not “top” technique to close groin muscle opening without mesh among others. Modified Bassini, Shouldice and new robot assisted technique from bottom of the abdominal wall preferred oftentimes. The real issue in Western countries is that indeed general surgeons are not trained to do these surgeries... good luck.

    • douglas99986
      douglas99986 mike21770

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. It is speculation for now, and don't want to get ahead of myself--scar myself into something that takes consult and lots of wisdom from doctors and family and individuals like yourselves.

       

    • douglas99986
      douglas99986 mike21770

      Posted

      Latest word is that I did find a surgeon who would take my case. He wants to do a nerve block study first, even try killing the nerve if theblock works. My symptoms are theusual inguinal pain. They also center around the incision. The pain also spreads up into my lower abdominal. I poop and pee fine for now. I know that there is inflammation involved so getting a nerve cut orblocked doesn't stop the inflammation. Praying that the inflammation doesn't spread to other parts. Fact: there is about 30% mesh left in side. I believe it had moved and is causing the problem. It's attached to abdominal muscle. The surgeon said that it's possible to remove the mesh but the problem is bleeding. He is putting together a plan to see how he can minimize the effect. So, lots of prayer for everything.

  • john44756
    john44756 adele_89294

    Posted

    I had a hernia operation 3 years ago but I have virtually been in pain since then but it seems to be getting worse.after my operation my wound took 2 months to heal I had to get it packed and dressed every day. Then the pain started one of my GP,s told me maybe they cut a nerve during fitting the mesh. He told me It May take 18 months to heal. Well surprise surprise I am still in pain I have been back and forward to my doctors so many times they keep giving me different pills etc and tell me they don’t think it is my hernia op that causes the pain,would anybody  recommend the mesh to be removed.can I get that done on NHS or am I better going private
    • lisa91603
      lisa91603 john44756

      Posted

      Hi John, sorry to read this, your pain is definitely caused by the mesh.I had inguinal hernia repair June 17 which I never recovered from.I was referred back to the hospital quite  soon after but my consultant was arrogant and unsympathetic to my pain.Had all sorts of treatments there but to no avail.Long story but the end of it is I found my own surgeon in London who 5 weeks ago removed mesh.I am recovering at home now.Without a wonderful support group that I found I would still have mesh inside me now.
    • tom76387
      tom76387 lisa91603

      Posted

      Hi - can you advise on which surgeon removed your mesh please?  Thanks 
    • mike21770
      mike21770 john44756

      Posted

      Hi John, sorry to hear about your experience. Mesh removal is not advised automatically in case of groin pain. An experienced surgeon may first advise doing neurectomy if he/she thinks that would be right step. It’s possible that nerve entrapped inside of the mesh or scar. Also, it really depends if your initial surgery was done in open fashion or laporoscopically. Today’s consensus is that best technique to remove mesh is the same fashion as mesh was inserted in. Unfortunately, it’s quite rear to find surgeon who knows how to remove mesh. However, once found, this surgeon may be limited to only one technique. Multiple forums mentioned high success rate of US doctors: Dr Grischkan (open technique), Dr Belyansky (lap technique), Dr Towfigh (both techniques), Dr Billing (techniques were not discussed in details so unknown to me).
    • john44756
      john44756 lisa91603

      Posted

      Hi Lisa thank you for your speedy reply was the doctor that removed your mesh was it NHS or private and how long did you have to wait before you were operated on and how quick was your recovery are you free from any pain know.
    • lisa91603
      lisa91603 john44756

      Posted

      Hi John, I saw Mr Nott privately in January for a consultation and then got referred to him via NHS shortly after.He sent me for an ultrasound to see what was happening however dosnt always show mesh.In my case he could see something wasn’t right.All in all about 6 months.Mr Nott is a specialist in this field as he has worked in war torn countries and has an OBE for his work. My pain is easier and I feel better still a long way to go.Hope this helps. 
  • anthony46338
    anthony46338 adele_89294

    Posted

    HI ADELE THANKS FOR REACHING OUT. SORRY TO SAY OUR SITUATIONS ARE VERY SIMILAR. 2yrs POST OP SEEMS LIKE MORE PAIN NOW THAN BEFORE LAPRO DOUBLE INGUINAL HERNIA. THIRD SURGERY FOR HERNIA WORST RECOVERY. HAD SURGERY DONE AT VA IN LONG BEACH,CA

    ALL THE WHILE DR WILL NEVER ADMIT ITS THE TWO 10+15 MESH HE INSTALLED IN ME LIKE IM A ROBOT. I PRAY YOU AND THE REST ON HERE FIND A SPECIALIST AND PERMANENT RELIEF. BE CAREFUL DONT STRAIN YOURSELF. WHATS THE NAME OF YOUR SPECIALIST IN HOPES I CAN REALLY GET SOME HELP.

  • c06716
    c06716 adele_89294

    Posted

    Spouse had 3 hernia repairs in about 2.5 years, over 16 yrs ago. There was problem with last one, as Doc left drains in for a long time. Then assumed it was OK to remove them.

    My souses immune function was so robust, his body didn't show signs or symptoms common to infection...instead, it "sequestered" it...for over 7 years.

    THEN, his abdomen suddenly opened up along the old surgical scar, to push out the consolidated rotten mesh. That needed emergency surgery to clean out. It took months for that huge wound to heal closed.

    That Doc said he was unable to remove all the tiny bits, because some had become too incorporated into major blood and nerve bundle--he feared trying to dissect those out, would leave him paralyzed.

    AND, we just learned, that Doc failed to chart those comments into record...so continuing care is compromised.

    During that 1st 7+ years, my spouse's overall health deteriorated quickly--hair turned white, bones got far worse, fatigue got really bad, etc...but No classic signs or symptoms usual to infection.

    The surgery seemed to buy him back some energy, but, his overall health was fairly permanently tanked.

    This last January (yes, about another 7+ years later!), his health had been remarkably tanking again for several months. Now he's barely able to hobble around using 2 canes or a walker, sleeps lots more, can hardly do anything without needing naps. Lost strength.

    Still, no overt Usual signs of infection.

    But last week of January, his abdomen again spontaneously opened along the old surgical scar, and has been leaking since.

    We've been trying to get the VA medical system to get him appropriate appointments for tests, treatment, etc., for over SIX MONTHS.

    Meanwhile, his health has been going downhill more.

    That Mesh is HORRIBLE; should NEVER have been arbitrarily used...especially not in Viet Nam Vets...because of their exposures to Agent Orange, and other Agents, many have trouble with slow, non-healing, or intermittently opening wounds...

    NOW, public is far more exposed to similar chemical agents, so also may suffer reopening wounds.

    ...and THAT has Not been documented nor looked at, either.

    The new Doc ordered a CT scan with contrast, before she can do anything...

    VA's been stalling for over a month on that order....and right at a time when VA's been caught deleting CT and MRI orders from it's system, and entering comments that make it appear as though patients were "no shows", or, that they "canceled" the appointments themselves---those are lies VA's used, to cover their money-pinching behinds.

    Those comments follow patients forever, and cause glitches in care all along...no one removes those, even though they are wrong!

    Color me furious, and hurting.

    I feel like the industries involved, have been killing a wonderful people, slowly. Mine's not alone. I've watched many who have had horrific results from mesh repairs, that made what's left of their lives, slow death.

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