The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IIOur severity:HighFDA (Devices)·Z-2563-2016·Announced 2016-08-24

Medtronic Valleylab Laparoscopic Electrodes Recalled for Sterile Barrier Compromise

Medtronic is recalling Valleylab Laparoscopic Curved Spatula Electrodes due to a potential sterile barrier breach. The recall affects 6,381 units 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 is classified as FDA Class II. The hazard is a potential sterile barrier breach, which poses a risk of infection (risk-of-harm product) but no specific injuries or illnesses are reported in the source text, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Medtronic is recalling Valleylab Laparoscopic Curved Spatula Electrodes (Item Code: E277145) because of a potential for compromise of the package resulting in a breach of the sterile barrier. The affected lot range is 209505X through 61220130X.

The recall involves 6,381 units that were distributed nationwide in the US and internationally to Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. These devices are indicated for use in laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgical procedures.

Healthcare providers should stop using the affected devices and contact Medtronic for further instructions. Patients who have had surgery with these devices should contact their healthcare provider if they have concerns.

The recalled product

Product
Valleylab Laparoscopic Curved Spatula Electrode 45CM Item Code: E277145 The Valleylab Laparoscopic Handset and Electrodes are indicated for use in laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgical procedures where the delivery of electrosurgical current, irrigation and suction via a…
Manufacturer
Medtronic
Affected units
6,381

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)

  • Affected Lot Range: 209505X through 61220130X

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 25 recalled by Medtronic 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 25 products in this recall →

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