Staplers, Staples Linked to Serious Injury and Death
Surgical staplers and staples have been linked to serious injuries and death in patients, according to information released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Kansas City defective medical device lawyers at Goza & Honnold are investigating cases involving surgical staplers and staples on behalf of injured patients and their families.
Staplers and Staples Used for Surgical Procedures
Surgical staplers and staples are different types of medical devices, and they are regulated differently by the FDA. Doctors use staplers during various medical procedures, such as gastrointestinal and thoracic surgeries, to connect tissue and to remove or cut tissue. The staples can be internal or external and are designed to be either permanent or removable.
Stapler and Staple Injuries
In a recent communication to doctors, the FDA announced that it had received more than 40,000 reports of adverse events related to surgical staplers and staples from January 1, 2011, to March 31, 2018. These reports included:
- 32,000 instances of stapler malfunction.
- 9,000 instances of serious injuries to patients.
- 366 instances of patient death.
Problems related to stapling can necessitate additional procedures or complex treatment plans. Common injuries associated with stapler or staple complications and subsequent procedures include:
- Bleeding events
- Fistulas
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Tissue or organ tearing
- Increased risk of cancer recurrence
- Death
The reports noted by the FDA likely represent only a fraction of the injuries patients have experienced from these devices. Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon recently announced a recall of its Intramural Staplers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but no recall is currently in effect in the United States.
Contact Goza & Honnold, LLC
If you underwent a procedure using a surgical stapler and developed an injury, contact Goza & Honnold today. We can help you determine your legal options, starting with a free case consultation. Call our office at (913) 451-3433 or submit a contact form online to schedule your attorney consultation.