Severity
Moderate
FDA Devices recall · Reported August 7, 2013
A complaint was received from the field, that the drill guide was etched incorrectly, 12mm etch instead of 18mm drill guide. The firm identified that this constituted a field act…
Synthes USA Hq, Inc. recalled Synthes Synapse SD Drill Guide, Part Number SD389.477, Lot Number 6913900 Indicated fo… - a moderate-severity action.
Synthes Synapse SD Drill Guide, Part Number SD389.477, Lot Number 6913900 Indicated fo… was recalled by Synthes USA Hq, Inc. in August 7, 2013. Reason: A complaint was received from the field, that the drill guide was etched incorrectly, 12mm etch instead of 18…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1821-2013 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Synthes USA Hq, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-A complaint was received from the field, that the drill guide was etched incorrectly, 12mm etch instead of 18….
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1821-2013 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
This FDA Devices action (record #Z-1821-2013) was formally reported on August 7, 2013, with the manufacturer initiating the action on October 12, 2012. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Synthes USA Hq, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of West Chester, PA. Federal records list the affected scope as 2.
The documented reason for this recall is: A complaint was received from the field, that the drill guide was etched incorrectly, 12mm etch instead of 18mm drill guide. The firm identified that this constituted a field action and retrospectively reported this ac… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: US distribution: PA only. .. 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, 3 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.
Where this recall sits in its category - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. 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
2
Related Recalls
6
3 from same agency
Synthes Synapse SD Drill Guide, Part Number SD389.477, Lot Number 6913900 Indicated for Hooks, Plate/Rods, Rods and Screws when intended to promote fusion of the cervical spine fusion of the cervical spine and occipitocervical junction (occiput-T3), the plate/rod, rod, hook and screw (3.2 mm cortex) components of the Synthes Cervifix; Axon and Synapse Systems are indicated for the following: -Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD) (defined as neck pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc as confirmed by patient history and radiographic studies); -Spondylolisthesis; -Spinal Stenosis; -Fracture/dislocation; -Atlantoaxial fracture with instability; -Occipitocervical dislocation; -Revision of previous cervical spine surgery; and -Tumo
A complaint was received from the field, that the drill guide was etched incorrectly, 12mm etch instead of 18mm drill guide. The firm identified that this constituted a field action and retrospectively reported this action.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-1821-2013 |
| Date reported | August 7, 2013 |
| Date initiated | October 12, 2012 |
| Recalling firm | Synthes USA Hq, Inc. |
| Firm location | West Chester, PA |
| Affected scope | 2 |
| Distribution | US distribution: PA only. . |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What to do with this recall
Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.
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.
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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 August 7, 2013. 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 July 2026.