PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported June 24, 2015

Vanguard M Unicondylar Tibial Trial For use during knee joint replacement.

The Left and Right orientation of the trial was incorrectly etched on one side. When the instrument is rotated about the axis of the handle 180 degrees to view the other side, th…

Recall #
Z-1798-2015
Affected scope
27
Initiated
April 22, 2015
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Biomet, Inc. recalled Vanguard M Unicondylar Tibial Trial For use during knee joint replacement. - a moderate-severity action.

Vanguard M Unicondylar Tibial Trial For use during knee joint replacement. was recalled by Biomet, Inc. in June 24, 2015. Reason: The Left and Right orientation of the trial was incorrectly etched on one side. When the instrument is rotat…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1798-2015 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Biomet, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-The Left and Right orientation of the trial was incorrectly etched on one side. When the instrument is rotat….

Moderate
severity level
27 units
affected scope
Class II
classification
June 24, 2015
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1798-2015 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. 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

Vanguard M Unicondylar Tibial Trial For use during knee joint replacement.

Reason for recall

The Left and Right orientation of the trial was incorrectly etched on one side. When the instrument is rotated about the axis of the handle 180 degrees to view the other side, the etch on the handle now shows R on the same side as the keel marked LM and the L on the same side as the keel marked RM. This is incorrect. Please note that the keel is not etched on this side by design.

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-1798-2015
Date reported June 24, 2015
Date initiated April 22, 2015
Recalling firm Biomet, Inc.
Firm location Warsaw, IN
Affected scope 27
Distribution Worldwide Distribution -- US, including the state of IL, NJ, Canada, Netherlands, and Chile.

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

Scale of Impact

27 units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) -
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-1798-2015) 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?
Vanguard M Unicondylar Tibial Trial For use during knee joint replacement.. Recalled by Biomet, Inc.. Units affected: 27.
Why was this product recalled?
The Left and Right orientation of the trial was incorrectly etched on one side. When the instrument is rotated about the axis of the handle 180 degrees to view the other side, the etch on the handle now shows R on the same side as the keel marked LM and the L on the same side as the keel marked RM. This is incorrect. Please note that the keel is not etched on this side by design.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on June 24, 2015. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1798-2015.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution -- US, including the state of IL, NJ, Canada, Netherlands, and Chile..
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

Drug and device notices outside this firm and state, matched by severity timing and product category.

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

This recall: FDA Devices, reported June 24, 2015. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026