FDA Video: Bard® Composix® Kugel® Mesh Hernia Patch Recall

Below is an excellent video produced by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which warns patients and physicians of the nationwide recall of Composix Kugel mesh hernia patches and provides information about the defective memory recoil ring and possible side effects from ring breakage.

Davol, Inc. is expanding its earlier recall of the Composix Kugel Patch, which is used to repair ventral hernias that can appear at the site of a prior surgical incision.

The recalled patches have a “memory recoil ring” that allows the patch to be folded for insertion and then once in place, to spring open and lay flat. The problem is that this ring can break, and if that happens, it can cause a bowel perforation or chronic intestinal fistula.

Davol is now notifying health care professionals about an expanded recall and market withdrawal of additional patches that have a similar design. These actions affect Large Oval and Large Circle patches that have this design. Health care providers who have patches from the recalled lots should stop using them immediately.

Here’s what the company recommends for managing patients who have already received one of the recalled devices:

• First, identify these patients. Advise them about the recall and tell them to seek attention immediately if they experience symptoms that could be associated with ring breakage such as unexplained or persistent abdominal pain, fever, tenderness at the implant site or other unusual symptoms.
• Examine symptomatic patients for conditions that could be associated with ring breakage. These include bowel obstruction, perforation or fistula, abdominal wall pain or infection, palpable abdominal wall mass, or migration or movement of the ring.
• Evaluate the patient’s condition based on clinical signs and symptoms and clinical judgment.
• And finally, report any problems to the company.

Note that Davol has redesigned this product to correct the problem. These newer patches are not being recalled. They are identifiable by a label that says “redesigned for improved ring integrity.”

Do I have a Kugel Patch Lawsuit?

The Medical Device and Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Kugel patch lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Kugel patch recall cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has received a recalled/defective Kugel patch or suffered from bowel perforation, bowel obstruction, chronic intestinal fistulae, infection or an unfortunate loss linked to the Kugel patch, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.