Hip replacement patients facing tests after product recall
Thousands of hip replacement patients could face scans, blood tests or surgery amid fears they were fitted with a faulty product, health bosses said today.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has written to all hospital orthopaedic units advising them to stop using a device produced by US-based firm DePuy Orthopaedics.
The move follows a worldwide recall of two of the company’s ASR hip products over concerns about the number of patients requiring revision surgery after they were implanted.
Since it became available in 2004, around 3,500 patients around the country have received the ASR Hip System device as part of a hip replacement procedure.
Many are now expected to undergo blood tests, MRI scans and ultrasounds to determine if they require further surgery.
The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) said while most hip replacements involving the ASR product had been successful, 12 incidents had so far been reported from Irish patients.
“Data recently received by DePuy shows that after five years, approximately 12% of patients who received the ASR hip require replacement of their implant, a higher rate than expected, and this has led to the recall,” an IMB spokeswoman said.
“Patients who have been implanted with the affected devices will be contacted in the coming weeks for review.”
The HSE said all devices involved in the product recall had now been removed from circulation.
Plans are being made to set up a special HSE helpline for concerned patients.
DePuy Orthopaedics has also produced a guide on its website for people who may be affected by the product recall.
“Hospitals have been advised that this product should not be used in any hip replacement surgeries with immediate effect,” a HSE spokeswoman said.
“The HSE is now identifying all patients who may have received this device as part of their hip replacement.
“Hospitals will be contacting all affected patients directly and will take all steps necessary to ensure patients receive appropriate follow-up.
“We will be liaising closely with the Irish Medicines Board and the manufacturers DePuy as part of this ongoing process.”
Labour health spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan said the helpline needed to be set up as soon as possible.
“There is a lot of anxiety out there and a helpline will provide vital information to people.
“They need to be informed if they are affected by this and if they may require corrective surgery.”
She added: “The Irish Medicines Board and the HSE need to contact patients who had been implanted with the affected devices as quickly as possible.”
