The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IIOur severity:HighFDA (Devices)·Z-1746-2016·Announced 2016-06-01

American Surgical Ultracot Sponges Recalled for Packaging Defect Compromising Sterility

American Surgical Company is recalling 33 boxes of Ultracot sponges because defective packaging may compromise sterility. The products were distributed worldwide.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Devices): Class II

Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a medical device where defective packaging compromises sterility, creating a risk of infection (risk-of-harm product) without reported injuries, which aligns with the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

American Surgical Company is recalling 33 boxes of Ultracot 20 mm x 60 mm sponges (Ref Number: 23-09, Lot 2015/08 CJ). These neurosurgical and nonneurosurgical sponges are being recalled because defective packaging may compromise the sterility of the product.

The affected products were distributed worldwide, including in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Consumers and healthcare facilities should stop using the affected sponges and contact American Surgical Company for instructions on return or replacement.

The recalled product

Product
American Surgical Ultracot 20 mm x 60 mm Ref Number: 23-09 Product Usage: Neurosurgical and Nonneurosurgical Sponges
Affected units
33

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (1)

  • Lot numbers: 2015/08 CJ

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 91 recalled by American Surgical Company under a single FDA (Devices) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 91 products in this recall →

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