MAUDE Adverse Event Report: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC. PORTEX® UNIPERC® ADJUSTABLE FLANGE TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE; TUBE, TRACHEOSTOMY (W/WO CONNECTOR)

Catalog Number 100/897/080CZ

Device Problems Loose or Intermittent Connection (1371); Device Operates Differently Than Expected (2913); Device Handling Problem (3265)

Patient Problems Aspiration/Inhalation (1725); Blood Loss (2597); Foreign Body In Patient (2687)

Event Date 02/17/2017

Event Type  Injury  

Manufacturer Narrative

Customer has not returned the device to the manufacturer for device evaluation.If the device becomes available and is returned and evaluated, the manufacturer will file a follow-up report detailing the results of the evaluation.

Event Description

It was reported that the portex® uniperc® adjustable flange tracheostomy tube was used to replace the patient's existing tracheostomy tube as an elective percutaneous tracheostomy change in the intensive care unit.The tube was placed using the guidewire and the blue obturator included with the kit.The placement of the tube was assessed as adequate via chest x-ray.One day after this placement, the patient received bronchoscopic examination to assess the patient's condition due to "poor weaning from the ventilator over the previous few days/weeks." during the bronchoscopy, a blue plastic foreign body was identified in the right main bronchus.The foreign body was removed under anesthesia on the following day.Once the foreign body was removed, it was determined to be the blue "j" tip straightener from the guidewire of the uniperc adjustable flange tracheostomy tube kit.It was noted the straightener was loose on the guidewire and not radio-opaque because it was not detected during x-ray.The reporter acknowledged that the instructions for use denote to remove the blue "j" tip straightener prior to inserting the guidewire.The patient had mild blood-stained secretions and aspirations but no other changes in patient's clinical condition occurred following placement of the tube.The foreign body was successfully removed surgically under anesthesia on the following day.No permanent injury was reported.

Manufacturer Narrative

No product was returned for investigation.A review of the reported device found that the portex® uniperc® guidewire always contains a 'j' straightener which can be uncoupled for tracheostomy tube replacement purposes.Examination of the reported event found that issue occurred during replacement of the tracheostomy tube by utilizing the guidewire technique.According to the device instructions for use, prior to a replacement procedure, the 'j' straightener should always be removed to avoid the failure that was reported.Therefore, based upon the review of the reported event it was determined that the root cause was due to the use of the device which was inconsistent from the instructions for use.

• Brand Name: PORTEX® UNIPERC® ADJUSTABLE FLANGE TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE
• Type of Device: TUBE, TRACHEOSTOMY (W/WO CONNECTOR)
• Manufacturer (Section D): SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.; 6000 nathan lane north; minneapolis MN 55442
• Manufacturer (Section G): SMITHS MEDICAL CZECH REPUBLIC A. S.; olomoucka 306; hranice 1 - mesto; hranice, 753 0 1; EZ 753 01
• Manufacturer Contact: lisa perz ; 6000 nathan lane north; minneapolis, MN 55442 ; 7633833074
• MDR Report Key: 6421622
• MDR Text Key: 70482707
• Report Number: 3012307300-2017-00710
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: BTO
• UDI-Device Identifier: 15019315107207
• UDI-Public: 15019315107207
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• Reporter Country Code: UK
• PMA/PMN Number: K083031
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: foreign,health professional,u
• Reporter Occupation: Physician
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup
• Report Date: 05/17/2017

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Date FDA Received: 03/21/2017
• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: Yes
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Device Operator: Other
• Device Expiration Date: 09/05/2021
• Device Catalogue Number: 100/897/080CZ
• Device Lot Number: 3259889
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: No
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: Yes
• Date Manufacturer Received: 04/27/2017
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer?: Yes
• Date Device Manufactured: 09/09/2016
• Is the Device Single Use?: Yes
• Is This a Reprocessed and Reused Single-Use Device?: No
• Type of Device Usage: Initial
• Patient Sequence Number: 1
• Treatment: VENTILATOR
• Patient Outcome(s): Required Intervention
• Patient Age: 69 YR