The Recall Desk
SevereFDA (Devices)·Z-3202-2017·Announced 2017-10-04

Zimmer Biomet Recalls Orthopedic Drill Bits Due to Fracture Risk

Zimmer Biomet is recalling 150 nonsterile orthopedic drill bits because raw material anomalies may cause the instruments to fracture during use.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II and involves a structural defect (instrument fracture) in a surgical device, which aligns with the rubric criteria for Severe severity involving significant injury risks or structural defects.

Plain-English summary

Zimmer Biomet, Inc. is recalling 150 units of Drill Bit Quick-Connect 4.5 mm Diameter 145 mm Length, Item Number/EDI 00480614545, Nonsterile. These are orthopedic surgical instruments distributed nationwide in the USA and internationally to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, India, Japan, Panama, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Trinidad.

The recall is due to an anomaly in the raw material used to manufacture the instruments. This anomaly may be on or below the surface and can increase the risk of instrument fracture. The affected lot numbers are 63616857, 63469869, 63492339, and 63530402.

Healthcare facilities and distributors should stop using these specific drill bits and contact Zimmer Biomet for instructions on return or replacement. The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, indicating a reasonable probability that the use of the product could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.

The recalled product

Product
Drill Bit Quick-Connect 4.5 mm Diameter 145 mm Length, Item Number/EDI 00480614545, Nonsterile. orthopedic surgical instrument.
Affected units
150

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 (3)

  • Lot Numbers: 63616857
  • 63469869
  • 63492339 & 63530402.

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 60 recalled by Zimmer Biomet, Inc. 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 60 products in this recall →