Atrium’s C-Qur hernia mesh was recalled in 2013, and the lawsuits filed over it were resolved in a global settlement signed in December 2021. This page covers the history of the C-Qur mesh, its recall and the litigation that followed.
What Is C-Qur Mesh?
C-Qur is a line of polypropylene hernia mesh made by Atrium Medical Corporation of Hudson, New Hampshire. The mesh is coated with an Omega-3 fatty acid gel made from fish oil, which was meant to keep the bowel and other organs from sticking to the mesh. The product line included C-Qur Mesh, C-Qur Edge, C-Qur V-Patch and C-Qur TacShield. Like most hernia mesh, C-Qur reached the market through the FDA’s 510(k) process, which does not require clinical trials.
Atrium was acquired by Maquet, part of the Getinge Group, in 2011.
FDA Warning Letter and Recall
- October 2012: The FDA issued a warning letter to Atrium citing failures to validate its sterilization process and problems with how it handled complaints of infections linked to C-Qur mesh.
- July 2013: Atrium recalled C-Qur Mesh (32,834 units), C-Qur Edge (1,501 units), C-Qur V-Patch (95,286 units) and C-Qur TacShield (15,630 units) in a Class II recall. The coating could stick to the inner packaging liner after exposure to high humidity, and the recall added new storage instructions.
- February 2015: The U.S. Department of Justice announced a consent decree and permanent injunction against Atrium, its parent companies and two executives. Atrium had to stop most manufacturing at its Hudson facility until it corrected violations of federal manufacturing rules, and pay $6 million.
Reported Complications
People who received C-Qur mesh reported complications including:
- Infection, including deep and chronic infections
- Severe inflammation and allergic-type reactions, which the lawsuits linked to the fish oil coating
- Adhesions and bowel obstruction
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Hernia recurrence
- Revision surgery to remove the mesh
The C-Qur Lawsuits
The lawsuits alleged that the Omega-3 coating caused inflammation and infection, and that Atrium failed to warn surgeons and patients about these risks. In 2016, federal C-Qur lawsuits were consolidated in MDL No. 2753 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire before Judge Landya McCafferty.
A global settlement agreement was signed in December 2021 covering about 3,200 plaintiffs in the MDL, and the court stayed the litigation later that month so the settlement could be carried out.
Hernia Mesh Lawsuits Today
Since the C-Qur and Ethicon Physiomesh settlements, hernia mesh litigation has centered on two other manufacturers. Claims over Covidien Parietex, ProGrip and Symbotex mesh are still being filed, and the first Covidien bellwether trial ended in an $88 million verdict in August 2026. Bard settled most of its hernia mesh lawsuits in 2024, but its MDL remains open. For more history, see our page on hernia mesh recalls.
Common Questions
Was Atrium C-Qur mesh recalled?
Yes. In July 2013, Atrium recalled C-Qur Mesh, C-Qur Edge, C-Qur V-Patch and C-Qur TacShield in a Class II recall because the coating could stick to the inner packaging after exposure to high humidity.
Did the C-Qur lawsuits settle?
Yes. A global settlement agreement covering about 3,200 plaintiffs in the federal C-Qur MDL in New Hampshire was signed in December 2021.
What was the C-Qur coating made of?
C-Qur mesh is coated with an Omega-3 fatty acid gel derived from fish oil. The coating was meant to keep organs from sticking to the polypropylene mesh, and the lawsuits alleged it caused inflammation and infection.
Who makes C-Qur mesh?
C-Qur was made by Atrium Medical Corporation, which was acquired by Maquet, part of the Getinge Group, in 2011.
Why did the FDA act against Atrium?
The FDA issued a warning letter in 2012 over sterilization and complaint-handling problems, and in 2015 a federal consent decree required Atrium to stop most manufacturing at its New Hampshire facility until it fixed violations of federal manufacturing rules.