If you have had problems after hernia surgery, one of the first questions is which mesh your surgeon used. Most people never see the package, and many are never told the brand. The answer is almost always in your surgical records. Here is where to look, what the label information means and how to get your records if you do not have them.
Why the Mesh Brand Matters
A hernia mesh claim is brought against the company that made the mesh, so the brand decides which claim you may have. The claims being filed today involve mesh made by Covidien, now part of Medtronic, and C.R. Bard, now part of BD. As of November 2, 2026, the federal Covidien hernia mesh lawsuit had 2,486 pending cases and the federal Bard lawsuit had 23,299, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. For where each one stands, see our latest Covidien update and latest Bard update.
Covidien and Bard Meshes in the Lawsuits
Covidien meshes named in the lawsuits include Parietex (Composite, Optimized Composite, Hydrophilic and Composite Ventral Patch), Symbotex Composite Mesh, ProGrip (Parietex ProGrip and Parietene ProGrip) and Parietene meshes. Many Covidien meshes are made by Sofradim, a French company within Medtronic, so your records may name Sofradim, Covidien or Medtronic.
Bard meshes named in the lawsuits include Ventralex and Ventralight ST, 3DMax, the PerFix Plug, Composix and Kugel and Sepramesh. Bard’s hernia meshes were made by its Davol subsidiary, so your records may say Davol, Bard or BD.
Where to Find the Mesh in Your Records
The FDA advises patients who are unsure of their mesh brand to contact their surgeon or the hospital or surgery center where the operation was done and get the information from their medical record. Three parts of the surgical record usually hold it.
- Operative report. This is the surgeon’s written account of the surgery. It often names the mesh brand and size, though some reports say only “mesh” or “polypropylene mesh.”
- Implant record. Hospitals log every implanted device so it can be traced if there is a recall, often by placing the sticker from the mesh package in the chart. The record usually shows the maker, product name, catalog number (marked REF) and lot number.
- Records from later surgeries. If your mesh was repaired or removed, the operative report and pathology report from that surgery may describe the mesh that was taken out.
Under FDA rules, device labels also carry a unique device identifier, a code that identifies the exact product. If your implant record shows one, the FDA’s public AccessGUDID database can match it to the product name and maker.
How to Get Your Surgical Records
The easiest place to start is your hospital’s patient portal, which often has the operative report. The implant record is not always there, so if you cannot find it, ask the hospital’s medical records department for the complete surgical record of each hernia surgery, including the operative report and the implant record. If you had surgeries at more than one hospital, request records from each one, and keep a list of the dates, surgeons and hospitals.
Under the federal health privacy law known as HIPAA, a hospital or doctor generally must act on your request within 30 days. It can take up to 30 more days if it tells you in writing why and when you will get the records. It may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies.
If You Have Had Complications
The mesh brand is only part of a claim. A claim also looks at what happened after the surgery, such as bowel adhesions or obstruction, chronic pain, infection, mesh that moved or a hernia that came back, and whether you needed surgery to repair or remove the mesh. Our page on hernia mesh complications covers the signs of mesh failure and how they are treated.
You do not need your records in hand to find out whether you may qualify for compensation. Doyle APC has handled hernia mesh claims for over a decade and currently represents clients nationwide in the Covidien and Bard hernia mesh lawsuits. Much of our work is tracing a client’s complications back to the mesh through the full medical records, and if you have trouble getting your records, we can help request them.
We are still reviewing select Bard claims with severe injuries, such as multiple revision surgeries, extended hospitalization or bowel damage. Bard’s October 2024 settlement means new Bard claims face newer, more demanding procedures, though the Bard lawsuit is still open for new filings. Compensation in these claims can cover medical expenses, past and future, along with pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and a spouse’s loss of consortium.
Common Questions
Where is my hernia mesh brand listed in my medical records?
Look first at the operative report from your hernia surgery and the hospital’s implant record. The implant record usually lists the maker, product name, catalog number and lot number, often from the sticker on the mesh package.
What if my operative report only says “mesh”?
Ask the hospital for the implant record from that surgery, which should identify the exact product. Your surgeon’s office may also be able to tell you which mesh was used.
How long does a hospital have to send my medical records?
Under HIPAA, a hospital or doctor generally must act on your request within 30 days, with one extension of up to 30 more days if it tells you the reason in writing.
Do I need to know my mesh brand before I contact a lawyer?
No. If you have had complications, contact us even if you do not know the brand. Your hospital’s patient portal is a good place to start, and if you cannot find your records, we can help request them. Our article on what to know before you file lists other details that help.
Does my hernia mesh have to be recalled for me to have a claim?
No. A recall is not required to file a claim. To see which hernia meshes have been recalled, see our page on hernia mesh recalls.
Can I still file a hernia mesh claim?
Yes. New Covidien claims are still being filed, and we are still reviewing select Bard claims with severe injuries. Every state sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, so it is important to have your claim reviewed as soon as possible.