| The Composix Kugel Mesh Patch, manufactured | | | | Large Oval 10.8" x 13.7"o PC#0010208 Bard |
| by Davol, Inc., a subsidiary of C.R. Bard, is a | | | | Composix Kugel Extra Large Oval 7.7" x 9.7"o |
| medical device used to repair ventral hernias | | | | PC#0010209 Bard Composix Kugel Oval 6.3" x |
| caused by the thinning or stretching of scar tissue | | | | 12.3"o PC#0010202 Bard Composix Kugel Large |
| that commonly occurs after hernia surgery. | | | | Oval 5.4" x 7"o PC#0010204 Bard Composix |
| These tissues are already delicate and sensitive, | | | | Kugel Large Circle 4.5" |
| and after serious medical procedures they are | | | | The problem with this defective medical device is |
| even more so. The folded patch is inserted into | | | | so serious that the March 24, 2006 recall stated |
| the body behind the hernia area, where the | | | | that doctors and healthcare professionals: |
| spring-loaded plastic memory recoil holds it in | | | | "Immediately discontinue use of the specific |
| place. | | | | product codes and lot numbers listed below. |
| Unfortunately, there is a significant problem with | | | | Additionally, please immediately distribute copies of |
| the memory recoil ring. In some cases the | | | | this Important Patient Management Information to |
| memory ring can break entirely which can lead to | | | | clinicians who may have implanted, or who may |
| a bowel perforation or chronic enteric fistulae, or | | | | be managing, patients already implanted with one |
| abnormal connections between two tissues that | | | | of these products under voluntary recall." |
| are not normally connected. Further complicating | | | | Furthermore, the FDA recall notice stated: |
| the potential problems of the Composix Kugel | | | | "Patients who have been implanted with a |
| Mesh Patch is that even mild pressure exerted | | | | Composix Kugel Mesh Patch during hernia surgery |
| during other surgical techniques can cause it to | | | | should seek medical attention immediately if they |
| break and result in potentially serious | | | | experience symptoms that could be associated |
| consequences. | | | | with ring breakage. These symptoms include: |
| The Food and Drug Administration and Bard joined | | | | unexplained or persistent abdominal pain, fever, |
| together to recall a number of defective lots of | | | | tenderness at the surgery site or other unusual |
| Composix Kugel Mesh Patches due to their | | | | symptoms." |
| propensity to break. There were three different | | | | The dangers of a defective medical device like |
| recalls that occurred in December 2005, January | | | | the Composix Kugel Mesh Patch will likely continue |
| 2006, and March 2006 that included:o PC#0010206 | | | | to affect society for quite some time. Once the |
| Bard Composix Kugel Extra Large Oval 8.7" x | | | | public loses trust in medical device, it is difficult if |
| 10.7"o PC#0010207 Bard Composix Kugel Extra | | | | not impossible to regain. |