Gore-Tex Hernia Mesh was marketed as an innovative way to repair a hernia but unfortunately, this device has proven to cause a multitude of injuries to users due to various issues with the material and design. Attorney Brett Vaughn is now one of the few attorneys in the country taking Gore-Tex DualMesh cases. Reach out if you or a loved one are experiencing issues with your hernia mesh, even if you aren’t sure what type you have. We’re here to help and provide guidance through your situation.
What Is Gore-Tex DualMesh?
Gore-Tex DualMesh is produced by Gore Medical, an expansion of W.L. Gore & Associates, one of the largest companies in the United States. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995, Gore-Tex designed their product with one smooth side meant to prevent the device from adhering to internal organs, and a textured side to help the mesh fuse with the wall of the abdomen to help strengthen those muscles.. Made from expanded polytetrafluoroethlyne (ePTFE), (which is trademarked as Gore-Tex, otherwise known as Teflon) the pores in this mesh stretch just enough to allow water vapor to pass through, but not water.
Although this sounds helpful, the porosity of the material shrinks over time and also causes various infections. When the material shrinks, it pulls at the scar tissue that has embedded in the pores of the mesh, causing severe and chronic nerve pain for the user. The pores also allow for a multitude of bacterial infections to grow that can’t be treated with typical antibiotics. When these occur, the mesh has to be surgically removed since the rough side is embedded into the abdominal wall.
Other issues that have been connected to Gore-Tex DualMesh are:
- Bowel obstruction
- Fistulas
- Mesh migration
- Mesh calcification, resulting in restriction of movement
Currently, the FDA has not issued any recalls on the product, allowing DualMesh to continue to be used in hernia surgeries even with extensive reports of issues.
For a list of Gore-Tex DualMesh and DualMesh Plus devices that are currently being used, refer to the below table:
| Catalogue Number | Thickness (mm) | Width (cm) | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1DLMC02 | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| 1DLMC03 | 1 | 10 | 15* |
| 1DLMC04 | 1 | 15 | 19* |
| 1DLMC05 | 1 | 7.5 | 10 |
| 1DLMC06 | 1 | 18 | 24 |
| 1DLMC07 | 1 | 20 | 30 |
| 1DLMC08 | 1 | 26 | 34* |
| 1DLMC09 | 1 | 12 | 12 |
| 1DLMC200 | 2 | 10 | 15* |
| 1DLMC201 | 2 | 15 | 19* |
| 1DLMC202 | 2 | 18 | 24 |
| 1DLMC203 | 2 | 20 | 30 |
(* indicates popular sizes in hernia surgeries)
Source: Gore-Tex DualMesh
Your Next Steps
If you believe that Gore-Tex DualMesh was used in your hernia surgery, please reach out to our team for assistance. Attorney Brett Vaughn is ready to assist as the only lawyer in the country taking on these cases.
