Ethicon, Inc. — the medical sutures manufactures and Johnson & Johnson subsidiary — was issued a Class 1 recall by the FDA for a line of endo-surgery endoscopic and non-endoscopic staplers last week.
The recall will affect approximately 92,496 staplers manufactured between March 15, 2018, and March 8, 2019. The various defects can increase the risk of complications during surgery while using staplers. According to the FDA, Class 1 recalls are “situations in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
What are Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic staplers?
The Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic staplers are used explicitly in the gastrointestinal tract to create anastomoses. In non-medical terms, people who suffer Crohn’s disease or colorectal cancer may require a surgeon to cut out a piece of their colon and reattach the loose ends.
That surgeon would use these Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic staplers to piece the colon back together. In recent years, surgeons have moved away from sewing to stapling for these procedures to save time and simplify the teaching process to residents and interns.
Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic stapler Complications
The Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic staplers have been linked to misfires in the procedures mentioned above. Those potential risks include:
- Sepsis
- Leaks in closures
- Follow-up closures
- The need for additional imaging studies
- The need for permanent ostomy-bags
- Irreversible nutritional and digestive problems
- Revision surgeries
- Death
Recourse for Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic stapler Damages
Stephanie Lyons is well-versed in litigating cases involving malfunctioning medical devices and procedures. If you believe you’ve suffered any of the previously listed injuries from the Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic staplers in a gastrointestinal surgery — you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Call Attorney Stephanie Lyons at (618) 272-2284 for a free consultation on your Ethicon Endo-Surgery endoscopic stapler injuries. Remember, you can have recourse for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced from these injuries.