Staples Used in Thoracic Surgery Recalled

Covidien has announced it is recalling all lots of their Duet Stapler cartridges for use in thoracic surgery.  The cartridges, which contain materials that reinforce the staple lines they create, are commonly used in gastrointestinal surgery and are sometimes used in pulmonary surgery.  The company stated that 13 serious injures and 3 deaths are potentially attributable to use of these cartridges in pulmonary surgery, possibly owing to erosion of the reinforced staple lines into vascular structures.  Use of these cartridges in abdominal surgical procedures is not affected by this recall.