A sterile hypodermic needle manufactured by BD Medical has been recalled due to a product defect. These needles are used for a variety of clinical procedures. The problem with the needles is that they may become blocked or partially blocked. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the United Kingdom issued a medical device […]

The ASR device has been withdrawn due to adverse results higher than expected revision rates. The revision rate at 5 years in the National Joint Registry is 12% for ASR resurfacing and 13% for stemmed ASR components. All patients with these components have been advised that the device has been withdrawn and they are under […]

A recent survey carried out by the British Orthopaedic Association has shown that large diameter MOM manufactured by producers other than DePuy are showing greater than anticipated failure rates. These range from a 21% revision rate at 4 years to a 49% rate at 6 years for the ASR XL device. Concern has been expressed […]

Hospitals in the UK and Ireland are being alerted to ways of reducing risk for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery after sustaining  fractured hip joints. 60,000 total hip replacements and 60,000 repairs of hip fractures are carried out each year in the United Kingdom. A much smaller number are carried out in Ireland. The death […]

A medical device alert has been issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the UK for sutures manufactured by ETHICON. The problem with the affected lot numbers is that they may not have a complete seal and so the contents may not be sterile. There is a risk of infection if non-sterile […]

Alcohol skin preparation pads, swabs and swab sticks manufactured by the Triad Group since 2007 have been found to contain bacterial contamination which may lead to skin infection. This medical device alert has been issued by the MHRA in the United Kingdom and updates of previous medical device alert issued on the 11th February 2011. […]

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the UK has issued a medical device alert in relation to all types, makes and models of breast implants. There is uncertain evidence that women with breast implants may have a very small but increased risk of Anaplastic Large Cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the breast. Directors of […]

DePuy, a division of Johnson & Johnson have issued a field safety corrective notice for its Acetabular Cup Trimming aid, This is an orthopaedic instrument intended to be used as a guide to trim the flange of the Acetabular Hip Implant prior to insertion. Investigations have identified that the incorrect orientation trimming aid is located […]

Sibutramine was a prescription only medicine. Its marketing authorisation was withdrawn for safety reasons in January 2010 following a warning from the European Medicines Agency that it increased the risks of heart attacks and strokes. Several patients have reported suffering a range of side effects including palpitations, severe gastritis and abdominal pain as well as […]

It has been confirmed that DePuy International Limited supplied 2,021 of these components in England and Scotland between March 1990 and August 1999. Surgeons have asked those who have had replacement operations with the Hylamer Polyethylene component to seek immediate medical assistance from their doctors in order to detect any signs of premature wearing. The […]