inforMED
MalfunctionHTT

DRILL BIT 1 L46/34 2FLUTE

Received Oct 24, 2012 · Event occurred Sep 12, 2012

Report 2520274-2012-02544 · MDR key 2815396

Device

Generic name

Drill Bit

Manufacturer

Synthes Usa

Catalog number

513.005

Lot number

F-12395

Product problems

  • Break
  • Fracture

Patient

Not reported

  • Bone Fracture(s)

Narrative

Description of Event or Problem

A PIECE OF ONE OF THE DRILL BITS WAS LEFT WITHIN THE PATIENT; HOWEVER, THE PATIENT IS REPORTEDLY IN PERFECT CONDITION AFTER SURGERY.

Description of Event or Problem

A DEVICE REPORT FROM SYNTHES (B)(4) INDICATED A HOSPITAL IN (B)(6) REPORTED: DURING A LEFT HUMERUS FRACTURE PROCEDURE, THE DRILL BITS FRACTURED DURING THE PERFORATION PROCESS WITH THE AIR PEN DRIVE. THERE WAS NO ISSUE RECOGNIZED WITH THE AIR PEN DRIVE. SURGEON USED KIRSCHNER WIRES INSTEAD OF PLATE AND SCREWS. THE LOCATION OF THE THREE BROKEN DRILL BIT TIPS IS UNK. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE 4TH BROKEN DRILL BIT TIP WAS NOT LEFT IN THE PT. THIS IS #2 OF 4 REPORTS FOR THE SAME EVENT.

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

MANUFACTURING DOCUMENTS WERE REVIEWED AND NO COMPLAINT RELATED ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE MEASURABLE DIMENSIONS OF THE BROKEN DRILL BITS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TECHNICAL DRAWINGS AND AO/ASIF SPECIFICATION. THE EXAMINATION OF THE RAW MATERIAL TESTING CERTIFICATES AND THE MANUFACTURING PAPERS SHOWED NO DEVIATIONS REGARDING MATERIAL ANALYSIS, STRENGTH AND STRUCTURAL STABILITY. THE VALUES WERE IN COMPLIANCE WITH AO/ASIF SPECIFICATION AND WITH THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD. AN EXACT CAUSE FOR THIS OCCURRENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. IT CAN ONLY BE ASSUMED THAT TOO MUCH MECHANICAL FORCE HAD BEEN APPLIED DURING THE SURGERY, I.E. TOO HIGH DRILL SPEED, HARD BONE OR POSSIBLE MOVEMENT IN A SLANTING POSITION. THESE ARE VERY DELICATE DRILL BITS WHICH REQUIRE EXTRA CAUTION DURING USE. NO PRODUCT FAULT COULD BE DETECTED. DATE OF MANUFACTURE DETERMINED FROM LOT NUMBER OF THE DEVICE.

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

THIS DEVICE IS USED FOR TREATMENT, NOT DIAGNOSIS.(B)(4): DURING A REVIEW OF THE EVENT IT WAS DETERMINED THE EVENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REPORTABLE MALFUNCTION NOT AN ADVERSE EVENT.(B)(4): PLACEHOLDER.

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

INVESTIGATION COULD NOT BE COMPLETED; NO CONCLUSION COULD BE DRAWN, AS THE PRODUCT IS ENTERING THE COMPLAINT SYSTEM. A REVIEW OF THE DEVICE HISTORY RECORDS HAS BEEN REQUESTED.