The Recall Desk
CriticalFDA (Devices)·Z-1746-2025·Announced 2025-05-28

Endopath Echelon Vascular White Reload surgical stapler device lockout

Ethicon Endo-Surgery is recalling the Endopath Echelon Vascular White Reload surgical stapler due to reports of inadvertent instrument lockout during procedures. The lockout prevents cutting and stapling, potentially requiring conversion to open surgery; one patient death has been reported.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: A known fatality is documented in the source text, meeting the Critical threshold per the rubric regardless of other factors.

Plain-English summary

Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc is recalling the Endopath Echelon Vascular White Reload for Advanced Placement Tip (35mm, 4 row; Product code VASECR35) due to inadvertent instrument lockout reported during surgical procedures. When lockout occurs, the device momentarily activates but fails to cut or staple tissue, and additional steps are required to open and remove it from tissue.

If the user is unable to remove the locked device from tissue, potential harms to patients include surgical delay, bleeding or hemorrhage, life-threatening hemorrhagic shock, and conversion to open therapy. Two adverse events have been received, including one patient death.

The affected product was distributed nationwide in the US and internationally to EMEA, LATAM, APAC, and Canada. Affected batches are identified by the package batch codes listed in the FDA recall notice.

The recalled product

Product
Endopath Echelon Vascular White Reload for Advanced Placement Tip (35mm, 4 row); Product code VASECR35
Manufacturer
Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc
Hazard
  • device-lockout
  • hemorrhage
  • surgical-complication

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.