Stryker Neptune injury has been a concern in the medical community ever since Stryker issued a recall of the device on Sept. 25, 2012. The FDA categorized the move as a Class I recall, which is specifically reserved for medical devices linked to serious injury or even death.

Even though Stryker had issued the recall several months before, the recall came too late as a patient reportedly died from a Stryker Neptune injury.

Some of the complications associated with Stryker Neptune injury can be:

• Hemorrhaging
• Damage to soft tissue, muscle, and organs
• Serious injury or death

The Stryker Neptune Waste Management System is a surgical waste collection device which works by picking up waste fluids that collect during the surgery. The device is also able to clean up smoke emissions from laser surgical tools,

However, it has been recently discovered that patients can be put at risk of a Stryker Neptune injury if the device is improperly used.

Overview of Stryker Neptune Injury Recall

The Stryker Neptune Waste Management System was recalled after a patient reportedly died in 2012 due to device complications that occurred during the surgery. At the time of the procedure, the device had been attached to the chest tube during a lung removal surgery.

However, the device reportedly caused the heart to be pulled out of of position and ultimately caused an aortic tear.

According to Stryker and the FDA, fatal Stryker Neptune injury as been associated with a certain set of Stryker Neptune Waste Management System models include:

• Neptune 1 Gold Rover
• Neptune 1 Gold Rover
• Neptune 1 Gold Rover – International
• Neptune 1 Silver Rover
• Neptune Bronze
• Neptune 2 Rover Itra (120 V)
• Neptune 2 Rover Ultra (230 V)

The Neptune Waste Management recall spans across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Japan, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

Even though the call only applied to the Neptune 1 Gold, Neptune 1 Gold International, and Neptune Bronze originally, the company later included the remaining devices after the FDA informed Stryker that the devices had not been properly FDA-approved.

The FDA has advised doctors and other healthcare providers to not use the devices due to the risk of a potentially fatal Stryker Neptune injury. The FDA began receiving reports of Stryker Neptune injuries in August 2010, but Stryker did not initiate the recall until 2012.

In addition, the FDA has reportedly been receiving additional reports of Stryker Neptune injury or death.

Patients who have been affected by a Stryker Neptune injury may be able to file legal action against Stryker Corporation. Potential claimants should contact a medical device lawyer to determine eligibility for a Stryker Neptune injury lawsuit.