MAUDE Adverse Event Report: COVIDIEN LP LLC NORTH HAVEN V-LOC; SUTURE, NONABSORBABLE, SYNTHETIC, POLYETHYLENE

Model Number	VLOCN208L
Medical Device Problem Code	Detachment of Device or Device Component (2907)
Health Effect - Clinical Codes	Tissue Breakdown (2681); Foreign Body In Patient (2687); Unintended Radiation Exposure (4565)
Date of Event	04/14/2021
Type of Reportable Event	Serious Injury
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
If information is provided in the future, a supplemental report will be issued.
Event or Problem Description
According to the reporter, when closing the vaginal cuff during a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, the surgeon was able to throw 2-3 throws of the suture before the needle fell off inside the patient.When surgeon realized the needle had fallen off, the surgeon had to x-ray the patient in the room, re-opened the vaginal cuff to find the needle and then never found it.It is still inside the patient and the procedure was extended for over an hour.
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
Evaluation summary: medtronic conducted an investigation based upon all information received.The device was available for evaluation.Visual inspection noted the needle was broken and there were flat pin marks on the needle cones.It was reported that the needle fell out of the jaws of the device and a component disengaged from the device into the surgical cavity.The reported issues were confirmed.The product analysis noted evidence that the device was not used as intended.This issue may occur when the needle is not loaded properly or when the needle is forced into an obstacle.This condition may also occur if excess pressure is exerted on the needle or the attached suture while the jaws are in the open position.In these situations, the needle may flex and ultimately break.This can also occur when pressure is applied on the toggle lever of the suturing device prior to closing the handles and prematurely attempting to toggle.The manufacturing records for each device are thoroughly reviewed prior to release to ensure that it meets all medtronic quality specifications.The instructions included with this device provide the following guidance: ensure that the toggle levers are fully retracted prior to opening the jaws of the device.The reloading button should never be pressed when the instrument is in the body cavity, as this will release the needle.Inspect the application site to ensure hemostasis.Place additional sutures or use electrocautery if necessary to complete hemostasis.Endoscopic procedures should be performed only by physicians having adequate training and familiarity with endoscopic techniques.A thorough understanding of the operating principles, risks versus benefits, and the hazards involved in utilizing an endoscopic approach is necessary to avoid possible injury to the user and/or patient.Medtronic is submitting this report to comply with fda reporting regulations under 21 cfr parts 4 and 803.This report is based upon information obtained by medtronic, which the company may not have been able to fully investigate or verify prior to the date the report was required by the fda.Medtronic has made reasonable efforts to obtain more complete information and has provided as much relevant information as is available to the company as of the submission date of this report.This report does not constitute an admission or a conclusion by fda, medtronic, or its employees that the device, medtronic, or its employee caused or contributed to the event described in the report.In particular, this report does not constitute an admission by anyone that the product described in this report has any ¿defects¿ or has ¿malfunctioned¿.These words are included in the fda 3500a form and are fixed items for selection created by the fda to categorize the type of event solely for the purpose of regulatory reporting.Medtronic objects to the use of these words and others like them because of the lack of definition and the connotations implied by these terms.This statement should be included with any information or report disclosed to the public under the freedom of information act.Any required fields that are unpopulated are blank because the information is currently unknown or unavailable.A good faith effort will be made to obtain the applicable information relevant to the report.If information is provided in the future, a supplemental report will be issued.
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
Medtronic submits this report to comply with fda regulations 21 cfr parts 4 and 803.Medtronic has made reasonable efforts to provide as much relevant information as is available to the company as of the submission date of this report.This report does not constitute an admission or a conclusion by fda, medtronic, or its employees that the device, medtronic, or its employee caused or contributed to the event described in the report.Any required fields that are unpopulated are blank because the information is currently unknown or unavailable.Medtronic will submit a supplemental report if additional relevant information becomes known.

• Brand Name: V-LOC
• Common Device Name: SUTURE, NONABSORBABLE, SYNTHETIC, POLYETHYLENE
• Manufacturer (Section D): COVIDIEN LP LLC NORTH HAVEN; 195 mcdermott rd; north haven CT 06473
• Manufacturer (Section G): COVIDIEN LP LLC NORTH HAVEN; 195 mcdermott rd; north haven CT 06473
• Manufacturer Contact: tracy landers ; 5920 longbow drive; boulder, CO 80301 ; 3035816943
• MDR Report Key: 11840723
• Report Number: 1219930-2021-01950
• Device Sequence Number: 17279559
• Product Code: GAT
• UDI-Device Identifier: 10884521073777
• UDI-Public: 10884521073777
• Combination Product (Y/N): N
• Initial Reporter State: IL
• Initial Reporter Country: US
• PMA/510(K) Number: K111442
• Number of Events Summarized: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Serviced by Third Party (Y/N): N
• Reporter Type: Manufacturer
• Report Source: Health Professional,Company Representative
• Initial Reporter Occupation: Physician
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup,Followup
• Report Date (Section B): 09/19/2024

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: Yes
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Operator of Device: Health Professional
• Device Model Number: VLOCN208L
• Device Catalogue Number: VLOCN208L
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: Device Returned to Manufacturer
• Date Returned to Manufacturer: 05/03/2021
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: Yes
• Initial Date Received by Manufacturer: 04/23/2021
• Supplement Date Received by Manufacturer: 07/01/2021; 09/18/2024
• Initial Report FDA Received Date: 05/18/2021
• Supplement Report FDA Received Date: 07/22/2021; 09/19/2024
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer? (Y/N): Yes
• Is the Device Labeled for Single Use? (Y/N): Yes
• Is This a Single-Use Device that was Reprocessed and Reused on a Patient? (Y/N): No
• Usage of Device: Initial
• Patient Sequence Number: 1
• Outcome Attributed to Adverse Event: Required Intervention; Other
• Patient Sex: Female