CONMED AES-50SLRecalls & reported problems

Summary

The FDA's MAUDE database contains 17 adverse event reports that list this exact device (DI 10653405004974), received between Jul 12, 2019 and Aug 10, 2026 — classified as 1 injury, 16 malfunctions.

The most frequently reported specific device problem is “Material Fragmentation” (12 reports).

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. How this data works · Data updated Oct 13, 2026.

Most reported problems

Recent adverse event reports

The 17 most recent of 17 reports, in the reporter's own words as published by the FDA.

• MalfunctionAug 10, 2026Material Fragmentation

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 50191428 ↗
• MalfunctionApr 20, 2026Material Fragmentation

  A SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF A CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM DEVICE WAS USED IN A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2026, AND ¿DURING THE PROCEDURE, THE SURGEON USED A BIPOLAR DEVICE, AND THE BLACK ELECTRODE TIP DETACHED AS THE INSTRUMENT WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE PATIENT. THE TIP SUBSEQUENTLY LODGED IN THE PATIENT¿S SOFT TISSUE, RESULTING IN AN ADDITIONAL 20 MINUTES OF OPERATIVE TIME TO ALLOW FOR ITS LOCALIZATION AND SAFE REMOVAL. AS THE SURGEON WAS SEARCHING FOR THE BLACK TIP OF THE BIPOLAR DEVICE, FLUID EXTRAVASATION OCCURRED INTO THE SOFT TISSUES, RESULTING IN MORE PRONOUNCED SWELLING OF THE THIGH.¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT THE USE OF AN ALTERNATE DEVICE. FURTHER ASSESSMENT FOUND "THE FLUID ORIGINATED FROM THE INTRA-ARTICULAR SALINE SOLUTION. THE FLUID EXTRAVASATION DUE TO THE PROLONGED DURATION OF THE SURGERY; IT IS NOT CONSIDERED AN INJURY, BUT RATHER A CONSEQUENCE OF THE ISSUE RELATED TO THE LOST TIP. NO INJURY WAS DIAGNOSED. NO ADDITIONAL MEDICAL OR SURGICAL INTERVENTION WAS REQUIRED, AND NO EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION WAS NECESSARY. THE PATIENT IS CURRENTLY DOING WELL. NO OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 24927187 ↗
• MalfunctionMar 18, 2026Material Fragmentation

  THE CUSTOMER REPORTED THAT THE THAT THE AES-50SL ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, DEVICE WAS BEING USED ON (B)(6) 2026 DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE WHEN IT WAS REPORTED ¿DURING THE SURGERY, THE SURGEON USED THE BIPOLAR DEVICE, AND THE BLACK TIP OF THE ELECTRODE DETACHED FROM THE DEVICE WHEN IT WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE TROCAR. THE DETACHED TIP FELL INTO THE PATIENT AND HAD TO BE RETRIEVED USING A GRASPER. AS A RESULT, AN ADDITIONAL AES-50SL DEVICE HAD TO BE OPENED TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURE.¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH THE USE OF THE SAME ALTERNATE DEVICE AND A 2-MINUTE DELAY. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT OR USER. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 24628263 ↗
• MalfunctionMar 12, 2026Detachment of Device or Device Component

  THE DISTRIBUTOR REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THEIR CUSTOMER THAT THE DEVICE, AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, WAS USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2026 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED, ¿THE DISTAL PART OF THE VAPORIZER DETACHES 15 MINUTES AFTER THE START OF THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE.¿. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED AS PLANNED USING AN ALTERNATE DEVICE WITH NO DELAY REPORTED. FURTHER ASSESSMENT FOUND THAT THE DEVICE DID BREAK DURING SURGERY, A COMPONENT FELL INTO THE SURGICAL SITE AND IT WAS RETRIEVED WITH ARTHROSCOPIC GRASPING FORCEPS. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 24578220 ↗
• MalfunctionMar 3, 2026Material Fragmentation

  THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE DEVICE, AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2026 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED, ¿DURING THE PROCEDURE, THE BLACK TIP (ELECTRODE) OF THE INSTRUMENT DETACHED AND WAS FOUND INSIDE THE PATIENT. A GRASPER HAD TO BE USED TO RETRIEVE THE ELECTRODE FRAGMENT FROM WITHIN THE PATIENT.¿. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH A 2-MINUTE DELAY USING ANOTHER SAME-LIKE DEVICE. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 24494697 ↗
• MalfunctionFeb 2, 2026Material Fragmentation

  THE CUSTOMER REPORTED THAT THE THAT THE AES-50SL ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, DEVICE WAS BEING USED ON (B)(6) 2026 DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE WHEN IT WAS REPORTED ¿DURING THE SURGERY, THE TIP DETACHED AND FELL OUTSIDE THE PATIENT, WITHIN THE OPERATIVE FIELD. HOWEVER, THIS WAS ONLY NOTICED WHEN THE INSTRUMENT WAS ABOUT TO BE REUSED. IMMEDIATE CHECKS AND A SEARCH WERE PERFORMED, AS IT WAS INITIALLY UNCLEAR WHETHER THE TIP HAD DETACHED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE PATIENT. THE TIP WAS ULTIMATELY FOUND OUTSIDE THE PATIENT, WITHIN THE OPERATIVE FIELD.¿. FURTHER ASSESSMENT FOUND THAT THE DEVICE DID FRAGMENT AND WAS REMOVED FROM THE SURGICAL SITE. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH THE USE OF THE SAME ALTERNATE DEVICE AND A 5-MINUTE DELAY. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT OR USER. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 24237937 ↗
• MalfunctionDec 16, 2025Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE DEVICE, AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2025 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED, ¿DURING THE SURGERY, THE SURGEON USED THE BIPOLAR DEVICE, AND THE BLACK TIP OF THE ELECTRODE DETACHED FROM THE DEVICE¿S TIP WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE TROCAR.¿. FURTHER ASSESSMENT WAS REQUESTED FROM THE REPORTER AND THEY STATED, ¿IT BROKE INSIDE THE PATIENT, AND THE BREAK WAS VISUALIZED THROUGH THE CAMERA. THE TIP WAS DAMAGED BUT STILL ATTACHED TO THE HANDLE. ONCE THE INSTRUMENT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PATIENT, THE TIP FELL ONTO THE FLOOR.¿ THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH A 2-MINUTE DELAY WITHOUT AN ALTERNATE DEVICE. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 23815393 ↗
• MalfunctionSep 18, 2025Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  THE DISTRIBUTOR REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THEIR CUSTOMER THAT AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, DEVICE WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2025 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED WAS REPORTED ¿METAL PIECE FROM RF PROBE GOT DETACHED WHILE USING IN THE JOINT.". FURTHER ASSESSMENT QUESTIONING FOUND THAT THE FRAGMENT WAS REMOVED FROM THE SURGICAL SITE WITH THE USE OF AN ARTHROSCOPIC GRASPER. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT THE USE OF AN ALTERNATE DEVICE AND THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT OR USER. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 23083995 ↗
• MalfunctionApr 30, 2025Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  A SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF A CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM DEVICE WAS USED IN AN UNNAMED PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2025, AND ¿HAD AN EDGE WAND TIP BREAK OFF IN A HIP SCOPE THIS MORNING. THE FRAGMENT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PATIENT AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY ADDITIONAL HARM OR INJURY.¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH NO REPORTED DELAY. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTERVENTION, OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 21934024 ↗
• MalfunctionDec 23, 2024Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  THE CUSTOMER REPORTED THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50° PROBE WITH SUCTION, XL, 18 CM, DEVICE WAS BEING USED IN A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6)2024 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED, ¿WHILE USING THE BIPOLAR EDGE DEVICE, IT SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. UPON INSPECTION, THE SURGEON DISCOVERED THAT THE TIP OF THE BIPOLAR DEVICE HAD BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE PATIENT. USING FLUOROSCOPY, THE SURGEON WAS ABLE TO LOCATE AND RETRIEVE THE BROKEN TIP FROM THE JOINT. FORTUNATELY, NO HARM WAS CAUSED TO THE PATIENT, AND THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT FURTHER COMPLICATIONS.¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH THE USE OF THE SAME ALTERNATE DEVICE AND A 2-MINUTE DELAY WAS REPORTED. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED DUE TO THE REPORTED MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 20999716 ↗
• InjuryJan 9, 2024Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  A SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF A CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50 DEGREE PROBE WITH SUCTION 18 CM DEVICE WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY SURGERY ON (B)(6) 2023, AND ¿THE FACE OF THE ELECTRODE BROKE WHILE IT WAS BEING USED. THE SURGEON TRY TO REMOVED THE TIP BUT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. AFTER THEY CHECK IT THEY DECIDED TO KEEP INTO THE PATIENT.¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH ¿ANOTHER EDGE PROBE¿ AND WITH A DELAY OF 10 MINUTES. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF FURTHER MEDICAL INTERVENTION OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF INJURY DUE TO FRAGMENTATION WITH RETAINED FOREIGN BODY.

  Patient problems: Foreign Body In Patient

  MAUDE report 18475755 ↗
• MalfunctionJul 19, 2022Detachment of Device or Device Component; Detachment of Device or Device Component

  THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50 DEGREE PROBE WITH SUCTION 18 CM WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2022 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE ¿TIP FELL OUT IN THE PATIENT¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED USING AN ALTERNATE AES-50SL DEVICE AND THERE WAS A REPORT OF A 10-MINUTE DELAY TO THE CASE. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE TIP WAS RECOVERED AND THERE WAS NO PATIENT IMPACT. A GOOD FAITH EFFORT ATTEMPT WAS COMPLETED FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT INFORMATION REGARDING THE PATIENT¿S STATUS, IF THE TIP FRAGMENTED AND HOW IT WAS RETRIEVED AS WELL AS IF ANY MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTERVENTION AND EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION WERE REQUIRED FOR THE PATIENT; HOWEVER, NO RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE REPORTER TO DATE. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 15052527 ↗
• MalfunctionJul 7, 2022Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  THE DISTRIBUTOR REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE DEVICE, AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50 DEGREE PROBE WITH SUCTION 18 CM WAS BEING USED ON (B)(6) 2022 DURING AN ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE AND " THE RADIOFREQUENCY TIP WAS PUT FOR ITS USE WHICH IN THE FIRST MOMENT NORMAL FUNCTION AND IN THE SECOND BURNED THE HEAD OF THE TIP CAME OUT ANNOYING THE SURGEON ASKED ME Q SOLVE THE PROBLEM HE PROCEEDED TO PASS THE TIP OF 90 AND TOLD ME Q IF BUT Q ONLY BILLED ONE X Q THE TIP HAS BEEN DAMAGED FROM FACTORY ANNOYING THE CX X Q LOST TIME IN RESCUING THE FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE ARTICULATION Q AS IT COULD HAPPEN THAT IF THEY WERE JUST USING IT. (BROKEN TIP)¿. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED WITH AN ALTERNATE UNKNOWN DEVICE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR INJURY TO THE PATIENT OR USER. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF MEDICAL INTERVENTION OR ANY PROLONGED HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. A GOOD FAITH EFFORT WAS MADE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION; HOWEVER, TO DATE NO REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 14943690 ↗
• MalfunctionMay 19, 2022Material Fragmentation; Material Fragmentation

  THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC ENERGY 50 DEGREE PROBE WITH SUCTION 18 CM, WAS USED DURING A HIP SCOPE PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2022 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE HEAD OF THE ABLATOR CAME OUT BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RETRIEVED. FURTHER ASSESSMENT QUESTIONING FOUND THE DEVICE WAS IN THE STERILE FIELD WHEN IT FRAGMENTED AND FELL INTO THE SURGICAL SITE. THE FRAGMENT WAS RETRIEVED USING ANOTHER SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ((B)(4)). THE PROBE WAS NOT USED TO FINISH THE PROCEDURE. DUE TO THE DEVICE BREAKING, IT "SLOWED OR TIME BY A FEW MINUTES". IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO INJURY TO THE PATIENT AND NO MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTERVENTION OR HOSPITALIZATION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE PATIENT. THE CASE WAS COMPLETED WITH "NO ADDITIONAL ISSUES". THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 14433912 ↗
• MalfunctionSep 29, 2021Detachment of Device or Device Component; Detachment of Device or Device Component

  THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2021 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED ¿THE INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT HOLDS THE PLATE CAME OUT OF THE SHAFT¿. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. FURTHER ASSESSMENT QUESTIONING FOUND THAT THE COMPONENT FELL INTO THE SURGICAL SITE AND WAS REMOVED WITH A GRASPER. THE PATIENT WAS REPORTED AS ¿FINE¿. THIS CAUSED A FEW MINUTES DELAY; HOWEVER, THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED AS PLANNED. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 12548454 ↗
• MalfunctionJun 9, 2021Fracture; Fracture

  THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL WAS BEING USED DURING A HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2021 WHEN IT WAS REPORTED "ACCOUNT # (NUMBER) HAD AN ISSUE WITH AES-50SL, LOT 202103161. THE METAL PLATE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF WHEN USING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH OUR EDGE PROBES." THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED AFTER A 5-MINUTE DELAY WITH NO REPORT OF INJURY, MEDICAL INTERVENTION, OR HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE PATIENT. ALL COMPONENTS WERE RETRIEVED FROM THE PATIENT. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED ON THE BASIS OF MALFUNCTION WITH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions

  MAUDE report 11967403 ↗
• MalfunctionJul 12, 2019Peeled/Delaminated; Peeled/Delaminated

  THE DISTRIBUTOR REPORTED ON BEHALF OF THEIR CUSTOMER THAT THE AES-50SL, ARTHROSCOPIC PROBE COVER ON THE SHAFT WAS PEELING DURING USE IN A PROCEDURE. THERE WAS NO PATIENT OR USER INJURY OR IMPACT REPORTED. THERE WAS NO SURGICAL DELAY REPORTED. THIS REPORT IS BEING RAISED BASED ON DEVICE MALFUNCTION WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY UPON REOCCURRENCE.

  Patient problems: No Consequences Or Impact To Patient

  MAUDE report 8784331 ↗