PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported February 24, 2016

Covidien Endo GIA Ultra Universal 12 mm Short Stapler Handle Ref: EGIAUSHORT Product Usage: The Endo GIA Ultra Universal Short, Endo GIA Ultra Universal and Endo GIA Ultra Universal XL staplers have applications in abdominal, gynecologic, pediatric and thoracic surgery for resection, transection and creation of anastomosis. It may be used for transection and resection of liver substance, hepatic vasculature and biliary structures. The Endo GIA Ultra Universal Short, Endo GIA Ultra Universa

Staplers fail to fire or partially fire and reports of the instrument articulating lever disengaging during use

Recall #
Z-0819-2016
Affected scope
364,768 units
Initiated
December 2, 2015
Verify with FDA Devices →
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Medtronic recalled Covidien Endo GIA Ultra Universal 12 mm Short Stapler Handle Ref: EGIAUSHORT Product… - a moderate-severity action.

Covidien Endo GIA Ultra Universal 12 mm Short Stapler Handle Ref: EGIAUSHORT Product… was recalled by Medtronic in February 24, 2016. Reason: Staplers fail to fire or partially fire and reports of the instrument articulating lever disengaging during u…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0819-2016 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Medtronic issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Staplers fail to fire or partially fire and reports of the instrument articulating lever disengaging during u….

Moderate
severity level
365K units
affected scope
Class II
classification
February 24, 2016
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0819-2016 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This recall's affected scope (see the Recall Profile below) is large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking. Distribution scope (see Distribution below) directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Devices - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Medical Devices recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 41,021 medical devices recalls on record

01,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,947
Severity1906864652High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this agency-classified recall sits among FDA Class I/II/III notices

Of 88,244 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,068 are high severity, 64,652 moderate, and 4,524 low. A further 16,179 CPSC/NHTSA recalls have no agency class and are excluded from this split. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Product description

Covidien Endo GIA Ultra Universal 12 mm Short Stapler Handle Ref: EGIAUSHORT Product Usage: The Endo GIA Ultra Universal Short, Endo GIA Ultra Universal and Endo GIA Ultra Universal XL staplers have applications in abdominal, gynecologic, pediatric and thoracic surgery for resection, transection and creation of anastomosis. It may be used for transection and resection of liver substance, hepatic vasculature and biliary structures. The Endo GIA Ultra Universal Short, Endo GIA Ultra Universal and Endo GIA Ultra Universal XL staplers when used with the Endo GIA curved tip single use reloads can be used to blunt dissect or separate target tissue from other tissue.

Reason for recall

Staplers fail to fire or partially fire and reports of the instrument articulating lever disengaging during use

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Terminated
Recall number Z-0819-2016
Date reported February 24, 2016
Date initiated December 2, 2015
Recalling firm Medtronic
Firm location North Haven, CT
Affected scope 364,768 units
Distribution Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide and the countries of Canada, Albania, ALGERIA, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, C…

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Scale of Impact

364,768 units units affected - multi-state distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) -
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) -
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) ✓ This recall
Massive (≥1M units) -

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-0819-2016) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting, recall details can be updated.
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Covidien Endo GIA Ultra Universal 12 mm Short Stapler Handle Ref: EGIAUSHORT Product Usage: The Endo GIA Ultra Universal Short, Endo GIA Ultra Universal and Endo GIA Ultra Universal XL staplers have applications in abdominal, gynecologic, pediatric and thoracic surgery for resection, transection and creation of anastomosis. It may be used for transection and resection of liver substance, hepatic vasculature and biliary structures. The Endo GIA Ultra Universal Short, Endo GIA Ultra Universal and Endo GIA Ultra Universal XL staplers when used with the Endo GIA curved tip single use reloads can be used to blunt dissect or separate target tissue from other tissue.. Recalled by Medtronic. Units affected: 364,768 units.
Why was this product recalled?
Staplers fail to fire or partially fire and reports of the instrument articulating lever disengaging during use
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on February 24, 2016. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-0819-2016.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide and the countries of Canada, Albania, ALGERIA, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe..
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device?
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.

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Compare this recall with GORE VIABIL Short Wire Biliary Endoprosthesis, Model No. VS… → · All Medical Devices recalls

This recall: FDA Devices, reported February 24, 2016. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026