The FDA has notified healthcare professionals of a Class I recall of the DePuy Synthes Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) Distraction System (AB Distractor Bodies and BC Distractor Bodies), also called an External Mandibular Fixator And/Or Distractor and a Bone Plate. DePuy Synthes, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, is recalling certain lots of the Craniomaxillofacial Distraction System because the device may reverse direction and lose the desired distraction distance after surgery.

Infants are at the highest risk for injury if the device fails because sudden obstruction of the trachea can occur. This could lead to respiratory arrest, and result in death.

Children or adults with the ability to maintain an open airway are at less risk for serious injury because failure of the device would not result in tracheal obstruction and could be medically reversible.

In all patient populations, failure of the device may result in the need for surgical intervention to replace the failed device.

There have been 15 reports of injury associated with the use of this device.

The DePuy Synthes Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) Distraction System is an implant used to lengthen and/or stabilize the lower jawbone (mandibular body) and the side of the lower jaw (ramus). This device is used in pediatric and adult patients to correct birth (congenital) or post-traumatic defects of the jaw by gradually lengthening the bone (distraction).

Release Date: August 28, 2014
Source: FDA