[Posted 04/18/2013]

AUDIENCE: Surgery, Risk Manager

ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class 1 recall for this product due to a software defect that results in wider cutting ranges. The parameters of the manufactured cutting guides may not meet the surgeon’s pre-operative planning parameters entered via the web application. Additionally, Stryker Orthopaedics determined that another software defect resulted in the displayed parameters (e.g. depth of resection, angle of cut) not matching the cutting guides produced. This may result in serious adverse health consequences including joint instability, fracture,need for revision surgery and chronic pain and limitations of mobility.

The FDA has received a total of 44 reports (41 malfunctions and 3 temporary medically reversible injuries) of incidents related to the ShapeMatch Cutting Guides.

BACKGROUND:  The ShapeMatch Cutting Guides are single-use, disposable, cutting guides. They are intended to be used as surgical instrumentation to assist in the positioning of total knee replacement (arthroplasty) components intraoperatively and in guiding the marking of bone before cutting. In November 2012, Stryker Orthopaedics e-mailed field locations, registered surgeons and imaging centers of the problem and to immediately stop prescribing, planning or performing operative or imaging procedures with the ShapeMatch Cutting Guides until further notice.

In January 2013, a Product Notification was issued to all branches, agencies, surgeons and risk managers at affected hospitals informing them of the problem and risk mitigation factors. On April 10, 2013, Stryker issued an Urgent Medical Device Recall.

RECOMMENDATION:  The ShapeMatch Cutting Guides have not been available on the market since November 2012. Stryker is recommending patients who had knee replacement surgery in which ShapeMatch Cutting Guides were used and who are experiencing symptoms to contact  their surgeon. If symptom-free, the patient should continue to follow-up with the surgeon as scheduled.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

[04/18/2013 - Recall Notice - FDA]

[04/10/2013 - Firm Press Release - FDA]

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