Hernia mesh complications may have affected up to 170 000 patients, investigation finds
BMJ 2018; 362 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4104 (Published 27 September 2018) Cite this as: BMJ 2018;362:k4104- Jacqui Wise
Up to 170 000 patients who have had hernia mesh operations in the past six years could be experiencing complications, yet NHS trusts in England have no consistent policy for treatment or follow-up with patients, an investigation by the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme has found.
Around 570 0000 hernia mesh operations have taken place in England over the past six years, figures from NHS Digital show. Leading surgeons think that the complication rate is between 12% and 30%, meaning that between 68 000 and 170 000 patients could have been adversely affected in this period.
Patients who had had hernia mesh operations told the programme about being in constant pain, unable to sleep, and finding it difficult to walk or even pick up a sock. Some patients said that they felt suicidal.
The Department of Health and Social Care …
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