LITe DECOMPRESSION 48080230Recalls & reported problems
Stryker Corporation · SNAKE ARM · Class 1
All models of LITe DECOMPRESSION (4)
Data updated Oct 16, 2026 from official FDA records · Editorial policy
1 open recall names this device. See the recall details and contact the manufacturer or your healthcare provider.
Quick summary
This Stryker Lite decompression snake arm is a manual orthopedic instrument used to hold surgical tubes in place. The 23 reports describe the clamp or hinge deforming, jamming or failing to lock and hold tubes, sometimes with a surgical delay, with no deaths and no injuries mentioned. There is 1 open recall started in November 2023 because the arm was made with the wrong clamp part so it cannot attach to its post.
AI-generated from the FDA records on this page and checked automatically against the numbers below. Read the details before relying on it.
- Adverse event reports
- 23
- Deaths reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Recalls naming it
- 1
Summary
The FDA's MAUDE database contains 23 adverse event reports that list this exact device (DI 07613327263909), received between Sep 7, 2016 and Dec 1, 2023 — classified as 23 malfunctions.
The most frequently reported specific device problem is “Material Deformation” (14 reports).
1 FDA recall record name this device's identifier, 1 still open.
Reports come from manufacturers, hospitals and patients and are not verified by the FDA. A report does not prove the device caused the event, and counts can't be used to compare devices or estimate failure rates. What reports can and can't tell you · How this data works · Data updated Oct 16, 2026.
Reports received per month
Recalls naming this device
- Nov 1, 2023Open, Classified
Product arm was manufactured with the incorrect clamp component. As a result, the affected product arm cannot attach to the arm post shaft.
Z-0610-2024 · Root cause: Nonconforming Material/Component · Recall details · FDA record ↗
Most reported problems
Device problems
- Material Deformation14
- Deformation Due to Compressive Stress6
- Mechanical Jam5
- Difficult or Delayed Positioning4
- Mechanical Problem4
- Loose or Intermittent Connection3
- Failure To Adhere Or Bond2
- No Apparent Adverse Event2
Patient problems
- No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions14
- No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient9
- No Consequences Or Impact To Patient6
Recent adverse event reports
The 23 most recent of 23 reports, in the reporter's own words as published by the FDA.
MalfunctionDec 1, 2023Manufacturing, Packaging or Shipping Problem; Manufacturing, Packaging or Shipping Problem
A COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THE CLAMP FOR A LITE SNAKE ARM DID NOT FIT ON THE POST IN THE TUBE SET. NO DELAY, NO MEDICAL INTERVENTION, AND NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT WERE REPORTED WITH THIS EVENT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 18246879 ↗MalfunctionMar 30, 2022Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation; Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SECURING MECHANISM OF A LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCKED INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A 30 MINUTE SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 13957336 ↗MalfunctionDec 1, 2021Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SECURING MECHANISM OF A LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM IS "CRUSHED" AND WILL NOT HOLD THE TUBE. SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITH NO DELAY. NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OR MEDICAL INTERVENTION WERE REPORTED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12911056 ↗MalfunctionOct 13, 2021Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SECURING MECHANISM OF THE LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT CAPTURE THE DECOMPRESSION TUBES AS THE TIP IS CRUSHED. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A 30 MINUTE SURGICAL DELAY. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12626672 ↗MalfunctionSep 28, 2021Mechanical Problem; No Apparent Adverse Event; Mechanical Problem; No Apparent Adverse Event
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE TUBE SECURING MECHANISM OF ONE LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM WAS DIFFICULT TO ASSEMBLE. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12540110 ↗MalfunctionApr 30, 2021Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation
A COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THE HINGE ON A DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM WAS DEFORMED AND NOT SECURING PROPERLY. SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITHOUT DELAY USING THE DEVICE. THERE WAS NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCE TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11757432 ↗MalfunctionApr 28, 2021Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT A LITE DECOMPRESSION SNAKE ARM CLASP WILL NOT TENSION ON THE TUBES INTRA-OPERATIVELY. NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES, SURGICAL DELAY OR MEDICAL INTERVENTION WERE REPORTED. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11740650 ↗MalfunctionApr 21, 2021Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation; Deformation Due to Compressive Stress; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT A LITE DECOMPRESSION SNAKE ARM 'ARM HINGE WAS FOUND TO BE BENT, AND NOT HOLDING TUBE SECURELY' INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11703879 ↗MalfunctionFeb 23, 2021Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Detachment of Device or Device Component; Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Detachment of Device or Device Component
IT WAS REPORTED THAT A LITE DECOMPRESSION SNAKE ARM SECURING MECHANISM WOULD NOT TIGHTEN INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11366720 ↗MalfunctionFeb 22, 2021Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Mechanical Jam; Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Mechanical Jam
IT WAS REPORTED THAT A LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM 'WOULD NO LONGER CLAMP ONTO THE TUBE DILATOR' OUTSIDE THE OPERATING ROOM. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11362634 ↗MalfunctionFeb 22, 2021Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Mechanical Problem; Difficult or Delayed Positioning; Mechanical Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM CLASP WILL NOT TENSION ON THE TUBES INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITH AN UNKNOWN SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11357979 ↗MalfunctionFeb 22, 2021Mechanical Problem; Material Deformation; Mechanical Problem; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM CLASP WILL NOT TENSION ON THE TUBES INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITH AN UNKNOWN SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11357973 ↗MalfunctionNov 24, 2020Material Deformation; Mechanical Jam; Material Deformation; Mechanical Jam
IT WAS REPORTED THAT A LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM KNOB JAMMED INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THE LOCKING CLASP OF THE RETRACTOR ARM WOULD NOT TIGHTEN AND THE ARM WOULD NOT CLASP ONTO DILATOR RETRACTOR. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 10897225 ↗MalfunctionAug 21, 2020Mechanical Jam; Mechanical Jam
IT WAS REPORTED THAT AN LITE DECOMPRESSION TUBE SNAKE ARM SECURING MECHANISM JAMMED INTRA-OPERATIVELY. THE LOCKING KNOB SEIZED UP AND WOULD BARELY ROTATE. THE DEVICE WILL NOT FULLY RELEASE PRESSURE ON THE SNAKE ARM. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT SURGICAL DELAY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions; No Consequences Or Impact To Patient
MAUDE report 10438098 ↗MalfunctionMar 11, 2019Mechanical Jam; No Apparent Adverse Event; No Apparent Adverse Event
IT WAS REPORTED THAT WHILE TURNING THE HANDLE TO TIGHTEN THE SNAKE ARM, THE ARM LOCKED UP. THIS WAS NOTICED RIGHT BEFORE THE PATIENT ENTERED THE SURGICAL ROOM AND ANOTHER BACKUP INSTRUMENT WAS USED TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PROCEDURE. NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES WERE REPORTED TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Consequences Or Impact To Patient; No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 8409946 ↗MalfunctionAug 10, 2018Loose or Intermittent Connection; Material Deformation; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT TIGHTEN AS EXPECTED. THE PROCEDURE WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITH NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 7773698 ↗MalfunctionAug 10, 2018Loose or Intermittent Connection; Material Deformation; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT TIGHTEN AS EXPECTED. THE PROCEDURE WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITH NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 7771873 ↗MalfunctionFeb 26, 2018Material Deformation; Misconnection; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO DECOMPRESSION TUBES. THERE WAS A REPORTED 15 MINUTE DELAY. THE PROCEDURE WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, AND THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES.
Patient problems: No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 7298073 ↗MalfunctionSep 12, 2017Material Deformation; Failure To Adhere Or Bond; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A CASE THE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO TUBES. THREE SNAKE ARMS WERE TRIED AND ALL FAILED.
Patient problems: No Consequences Or Impact To Patient; No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 6858973 ↗MalfunctionSep 12, 2017Material Deformation; Device Operates Differently Than Expected; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A CASE THE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO TUBES. THREE SNAKE ARMS WERE TRIED AND ALL FAILED.
Patient problems: No Consequences Or Impact To Patient; No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 6858971 ↗MalfunctionSep 12, 2017Material Deformation; Failure To Adhere Or Bond; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A CASE THE SNAKE ARM WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO TUBES. THREE SNAKE ARMS WERE TRIED AND ALL FAILED.
Patient problems: No Consequences Or Impact To Patient; No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 6858966 ↗MalfunctionAug 29, 2017Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Jam; Loose or Intermittent Connection; Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Jam
IT WAS REPORTED THAT; SURGEON NOTICED DURING SURGERY THAT SNAKE ARM IS STILL MOBILE WHEN FULLY TIGHTENED.
Patient problems: No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 6827629 ↗MalfunctionSep 7, 2016Break; Material Integrity Problem; Material Integrity Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SNAKE ARM BROKE DURING THE CASE AND DID NOT AFFECT THE PATIENT OUTCOME.
Patient problems: No Consequences Or Impact To Patient; No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient
MAUDE report 5932247 ↗
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- R3 71364450Smith & Nephew, Inc. · ORTHOPEDIC MANUAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT520 reports
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Sources and updates
- Device record: FDA GUDID, file dated Oct 13, 2026 · View this device in AccessGUDID ↗
- Adverse event reports: FDA MAUDE, file dated Oct 14, 2026 · each report above links to its original FDA record
- Recalls: FDA Medical Device Recalls, file dated Oct 16, 2026 · each recall links to the FDA recall notice
- Page last rebuilt: Oct 16, 2026. Data downloaded through openFDA, which notes it is not validated for clinical or regulatory use.
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