THOMPSON RETRACTOR
Received Feb 13, 2026 · Event occurred Jun 15, 2022
Report 1450428-2026-00001 · MDR key 24331260
Device
Generic name
Balfour Blade
Manufacturer
Thompson Surgical InstrumentsModel number
UNKNOWNCatalog number
N/A
Lot number
UNKNOWN
Product problems
- Improper or Incorrect Procedure or Method
Patient
58 YR · Male
- Foreign Body In Patient
Narrative
Description of Event or Problem
THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT MUSC LEFT A RETRACTOR BLADE IN (B)(6) ABDOMEN DURING AN ESOPHAGECTOMY PERFORMED ON (B)(6) 2022. THE RETRACTOR BLADE REMAINED IN MR. (B)(6) BODY AND WAS NOT DISCOVERED BY MUSC FOR FIVE DAYS. BY THE TIME IT WAS DISCOVERED, THE RETRACTOR BLADE HAD PERFORATED MR. (B)(6) COLON AND CAUSED A DEVASTATING INFECTION. MR. (B)(6) DIED ON (B)(6) 2022 AS A RESULT. ELECTRONICALLY FILED -(B)(6) 2024, (B)(4).
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
THOMPSON SURGICAL WAS FIRST MADE AWARE OF THIS COMPLAINT THROUGH A CONSULTANT THAT SAW A NEWS REPORT THAT ALLEGED A THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENT BLADE WAS CITED IN A LAWSUIT. THIS INSTRUMENT USED FOR RETRACTION OF THE INCISION REMAINED INSIDE THE PATIENT AFTER SURGERY. WE NOTED A RECENT ERROR IN OUR DOCUMENTATION THAT CAUSED US TO FAIL TO REPORT THIS ADVERSE EVENT WHEN MADE AWARE BACK ON NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025. WE MADE THAT CORRECTION TODAY 2/10/2026.