MAUDE Adverse Event Report: ETHICON INC. VCL+ UD 27IN 2-0 S/A X-1; SUTURE, ABSORBABLE, SYNTHETIC

Catalog Number	VCP459H
Medical Device Problem Code	Material Separation (1562)
Health Effect - Clinical Code	No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions (4582)
Date of Event	07/31/2025
Type of Reportable Event	Malfunction
Event or Problem Description
It was reported that a patient underwent an orthopedic procedure on an unknown date and suture was used.During surgery, the suture was detached from the needle easily during use.It was not a control release needle.Another product was used to complete the case.No adverse patient consequences were reported.Additional information was requested.
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
Product complaint # (b)(4).H6 component code: g07002 - pending evaluation of returned device.The device upon which this medwatch is based has been received, however, the evaluation is not yet complete.Any further information derived from the evaluation will be submitted in a supplemental 3500a form.A manufacturing record evaluation was performed for the finished device batch number, and no non-conformances were identified.This report is being submitted pursuant to the provisions of 21 cfr, part 803, part 4 subpart b.This report may be based on information which has not been investigated or verified prior to the required reporting date.This report does not reflect a conclusion by ethicon, or its employees that the report constitutes an admission that the product, ethicon, or its employees caused or contributed to the potential event described in this report.If information is obtained that was not available for the initial report, a follow-up report will be filed as appropriate.
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
Product complaint # (b)(4).This report is being submitted pursuant to the provisions of 21 cfr, part 803.This report may be based on information which has not been investigated or verified prior to the required reporting date.This report does not reflect a conclusion by ethicon inc, or its employees that the report constitutes an admission that the product, ethicon inc or its employees caused or contributed to the potential event described in this report.If information is obtained that was not available for the initial report, a follow-up report will be filed as appropriate.Additional information: h6, d9, h3.H3 investigation summary: the product was returned to ethicon for evaluation.One needle and suture outside its packaging that pertains to the product vcp459h were received for analysis.Upon visual inspection of the sample, it was observed the needle was broken at the swage area and a part of the needle was noted to be attached to the suture.The sample will be shipped to hsa for further analysis due to the needle breakage.Also, bending needle and marks that appear to be by use of the surgical instrument were observed near the damage.As part of our quality process, the manufacturing records of this lot-serial number were reviewed, and the manufacturing standards were met prior to the release of this batch.No conclusion could be reached due to the sample needs additional evaluation by hsa.As part of the ethicon quality process, all devices are manufactured, inspected, and released to approved specifications.
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
Product complaint # (b)(4).This report is being submitted pursuant to the provisions of 21 cfr, part 803.This report may be based on information which has not been investigated or verified prior to the required reporting date.This report does not reflect a conclusion by ethicon inc, or its employees that the report constitutes an admission that the product, ethicon inc or its employees caused or contributed to the potential event described in this report.If information is obtained that was not available for the initial report, a follow-up report will be filed as appropriate.Additional information: h6, d9, h3.H3 investigation summary: a failed suture needle, labeled as (b)(4), was submitted to herrera, stafford and associates, llc (hsa) for fractographic evaluation on september 22, 2025.The component was identified as product code vcp459h.It was requested that hsa assess the fracture mode of the failure.According to the information, it was reported pull off - suture needle.The product received for analysis was vcp459h.Visual inspection and metallurgical analysis were performed on the returned product.A fracture was observed at the suture attachment of the needle.The needle was received in two pieces, only one of the mating fracture surfaces was examined for this evaluation.A scanning electron microscope (sem) was used to examine the fracture surfaces and surrounding area of the needle.The fracture surfaces were examined in multiple locations to determine the fracture mode.The evaluation of (b)(4) revealed the fracture was composed of microvoid coalescence, which is evidence of a ductile fracture mode.This was a ductile fracture.

• Brand Name: VCL+ UD 27IN 2-0 S/A X-1
• Common Device Name: SUTURE, ABSORBABLE, SYNTHETIC
• Manufacturer (Section D): ETHICON INC.; 1000 route 202; raritan NJ 08869
• Manufacturer (Section G): ETHICON INC.-JUAREZ; calle durango #2751; ciudad juarez 32575 ; MX 32575
• Manufacturer Contact: orla o'mahony ; 1000 route 202; raritan, NJ 08869 ; 3035526892
• MDR Report Key: 22911058
• Report Number: 2210968-2025-09904
• Device Sequence Number: 15769628
• Product Code: GAM
• UDI-Device Identifier: 10705031053397
• UDI-Public: (01)10705031053397(17)291031(10)104XDR
• Combination Product (Y/N): Y
• Initial Reporter Country: JA
• PMA/510(K) Number: K032420
• Number of Events Summarized: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Serviced by Third Party (Y/N): Unknown
• Reporter Type: Manufacturer
• Report Source: Foreign,Health Professional,Company Representative
• Initial Reporter Occupation: Other
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup,Followup
• Report Date (Section B): 11/10/2025

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: No
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Operator of Device: Health Professional
• Device Catalogue Number: VCP459H
• Device Lot Number: 104XDR
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: Device Returned to Manufacturer
• Date Returned to Manufacturer: 08/26/2025
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: No
• Type of Report(Section G): Thirty-Day
• Initial Date Received by Manufacturer: 08/01/2025
• Supplement Date Received by Manufacturer: 09/16/2025; 11/07/2025
• Initial Report FDA Received Date: 08/28/2025
• Supplement Report FDA Received Date: 10/07/2025; 11/10/2025
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer? (Y/N): Yes
• Date Device Manufactured: 11/22/2024
• 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
• Patient Sex: Unknown