PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported February 4, 2015

The Synthes Mandible External Fixator; all lots of part nos.: 04.305.003 04.305.004 04.305.005 04.305.010 04.305.011 04.305.012 03.305.006 04.305.100 04.305.101 04.305.102 04.305.103 04.305.128 04.305.130 04.305.134 04.305.138 04.305.140 04.305.142 03.305.105 03.305.500 03.305.500S Intended to stabilize and provide treatment for fractures of the maxillofacial area, including severe open mandibular fractures, highly comminuted closed fractures, nonunions and delayed unio

Under new testing protocols for MR Environment safety and compatibility, metal devices are no longer designated MR Safe. Some components in the CMF Mandible External Fixator Syste…

Recall #
Z-1009-2015
Affected scope
43159
Initiated
October 17, 2014
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Synthes, Inc. recalled The Synthes Mandible External Fixator; all lots of part nos.: 04.305.003 04.305.004 … - a moderate-severity action.

The Synthes Mandible External Fixator; all lots of part nos.: 04.305.003 04.305.004 … was recalled by Synthes, Inc. in February 4, 2015. Reason: Under new testing protocols for MR Environment safety and compatibility, metal devices are no longer designat…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1009-2015 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Synthes, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Under new testing protocols for MR Environment safety and compatibility, metal devices are no longer designat….

Moderate
severity level
43K units
affected scope
Class II
classification
February 4, 2015
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1009-2015 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-1009-2015) was formally reported on February 4, 2015, with the manufacturer initiating the action on October 17, 2014. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Synthes, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of West Chester, PA. Federal records list the affected scope as 43159.

The documented reason for this recall is: Under new testing protocols for MR Environment safety and compatibility, metal devices are no longer designated MR Safe. Some components in the CMF Mandible External Fixator Systems were labeled and/or etched with infor… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide Distribution.. Distribution scope 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 - 40,861 medical devices recalls on record

01,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,787
Severity1902064468High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this agency-classified recall sits among FDA Class I/II/III notices

Of 88,001 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,020 are high severity, 64,468 moderate, and 4,513 low. A further 16,157 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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

43159

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The Synthes Mandible External Fixator; all lots of part nos.: 04.305.003 04.305.004 04.305.005 04.305.010 04.305.011 04.305.012 03.305.006 04.305.100 04.305.101 04.305.102 04.305.103 04.305.128 04.305.130 04.305.134 04.305.138 04.305.140 04.305.142 03.305.105 03.305.500 03.305.500S Intended to stabilize and provide treatment for fractures of the maxillofacial area, including severe open mandibular fractures, highly comminuted closed fractures, nonunions and delayed unions (especially associated with infection), fractures associated with infections, tumor resections, facial deformity corrections, gunshot wounds, pan facial fractures, burn maintenance, and bone grafting defects.

Reason for recall

Under new testing protocols for MR Environment safety and compatibility, metal devices are no longer designated MR Safe. Some components in the CMF Mandible External Fixator Systems were labeled and/or etched with information indicating they are MR Safe. They can no longer be labeled MR Safe.

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-1009-2015
Date reported February 4, 2015
Date initiated October 17, 2014
Recalling firm Synthes, Inc.
Firm location West Chester, PA
Affected scope 43159
Distribution Worldwide Distribution.

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

Scale of Impact

43159 units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) -
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) ✓ This recall
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) -
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-1009-2015) 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?
The Synthes Mandible External Fixator; all lots of part nos.: 04.305.003 04.305.004 04.305.005 04.305.010 04.305.011 04.305.012 03.305.006 04.305.100 04.305.101 04.305.102 04.305.103 04.305.128 04.305.130 04.305.134 04.305.138 04.305.140 04.305.142 03.305.105 03.305.500 03.305.500S Intended to stabilize and provide treatment for fractures of the maxillofacial area, including severe open mandibular fractures, highly comminuted closed fractures, nonunions and delayed unions (especially associated with infection), fractures associated with infections, tumor resections, facial deformity corrections, gunshot wounds, pan facial fractures, burn maintenance, and bone grafting defects.. Recalled by Synthes, Inc.. Units affected: 43159.
Why was this product recalled?
Under new testing protocols for MR Environment safety and compatibility, metal devices are no longer designated MR Safe. Some components in the CMF Mandible External Fixator Systems were labeled and/or etched with information indicating they are MR Safe. They can no longer be labeled MR Safe.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on February 4, 2015. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1009-2015.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1009-2015) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
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.

Nationwide recalls with similar severity or category timing

Two federal-filing-derived peer sets for this notice, both outside the same recalling firm and filing state so the neighborhoods are not firm or geographic containment.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Devices, reported February 4, 2015. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.