3M Company and Arizant Healthcare Inc. are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims from patients alleging they developed a periprosthetic joint infection after the companies’ Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System was used.

One of the most recent Bair Hugger lawsuits to joining the MDL was recently filed by a woman from New Hampshire, who alleges she developed a periprosthetic joint infection soon after the warming device was used.

Plaintiff Elizabeth Z. alleges the periprosthetic joint infection had developed as a result of using the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System, which was supposed to help her recover from her knee replacement surgery. The Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System consists of a disposable warming blanket, which is connected to a portable heater that blows hot air onto the patient’s skin.

Bair Hugger warming blankets are used to regulate the patient’s body temperature during surgery, which tends to drop while under anesthesia. When Bair Hugger entered the market in 1988, the medical community quickly noticed that patients recovered at a faster and more efficient rate after surgery.

Keeping the patient’s body temperature at a warmer level has been shown to reduce bleeding, and even quicken the recovery process. With these benefits in mind, many hospitals and surgeons utilize the Bair Hugger for a number of different surgery.

Overview of Bair Hugger Complications

This was reportedly the case with Elizabeth, who allegedly developed a periprosthetic join infection soon after her procedure. According to the Bair Hugger lawsuit, Elizabeth had undergone knee replacement surgery on her right side on June 14, 2013. During the course of her surgery, the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used to regulate her body temperature.

However, this also allowed bacteria contaminants to come in direct contact with the open surgical area, Elizabeth claims. This allegedly caused a periprosthetic joint infection, also known as a deep joint infection to form, which allegedly forced Elizabeth to undergo a number of treatments.

Studies have indicated that Bair Hugger warming blankets may stir airborne bacteria in the operating room, because convection currents may pick up air in nonsterile areas of the environment. According to the Bair Hugger lawsuit, Elizabeth underwent an irrigation and debridement procedure for the periprosthetic joint infection on June 27, 2013 and May 25, 2014.

The periprosthetic joint infection had eventually forced Elizabeth to get the knee replacement implant removed and had an antibiotic spacer implanted on June 3, 2014, along with a total knee revision surgery on Jan. 26, 2015. Several months later, Elizabeth says she had to undergo another irrigation and debridement procedure and is still contending with the long-term side effects of the periprosthetic joint infection.

Elizabeth alleges that the periprosthetic joint infection was caused by defects in the Bair Hugger Warming System and that 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare allegedly failed to warn her and the general public.

Elizabeth’s Bair Hugger lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2666, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging periprosthetic joint infection. By joining an MDL, Elizabeth’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from judges.

This Periprosthetic Joint Infection Lawsuit is Case No. 0:18-cv-01764-JNE-FLN, in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota.