Covidien plc Conducts Voluntary Recall and Discontinues Duet TRS™ Reloa

MANSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Covidien today announced that it is conducting a voluntary recall of all production lots for the Duet TRS™ Universal Straight and Articulating Single-Use Loading Units (SULU). In addition, the Company has discontinued manufacturing the Duet TRS Universal Straight and Articulating SULU.

Covidien has received one report that links the Duet TRS tissue reinforcement material to a post-operative injury after abdominal surgery. The Company has concluded that Duet TRS may have the potential to injure adjacent anatomical structures, which may result in life threatening post-operative complications. This voluntary recall is in addition to the recall announced January 16, 2012, relating to the contraindication of the device in the thoracic cavity. At that time, Covidien received reports of 13 serious injuries and 3 fatalities following the application of Duet TRS in the thoracic cavity.

The affected product codes and descriptions are as follows:

DUET4535 Duet TRS 45 3.5MM STRAIGHT SULU

DUET4535A Duet TRS 45 3.5MM ARTICULATING

SULU DUET4548 Duet TRS 45 4.8MM STRAIGHT SULU

DUET4548A Duet TRS 45 4.8MM ARTICULATING

SULU DUET6035 Duet TRS 60 3.5MM STRAIGHT SULU

DUET6035A Duet TRS 60 3.5MM ARTICULATING

SULU DUET6048 Duet TRS 60 4.8MM STRAIGHT SULU

DUET6048A Duet TRS 60 4.8MM ARTICULATING

SULU

Launched in 2009, the Duet TRS reload is a SULU with a fully integrated tissue reinforcement system to support staple lines in tissues. To date, the Company has sold more than 540,000 units worldwide.

Customers have been notified of this recall by letter on August 21, 2012. All Duet TRS product can be returned by contacting Customer Service at feedback.customerservice@covidien.com or 1-800-722-8772, option 1, to obtain a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) prior to returning the affected units.

Healthcare professionals and customers may report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of this product to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by fax or by phone.

Online: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Fax: 1-800-332-0178

Phone: 1-800-332-1088

Contact:

Covidien

Bruce Farmer, 508-452-4372

Vice President

Public Relations

bruce.farmer@covidien.com

or

John Jordan, 508-452-4891

Manager, Communications

Surgical Solutions

john.jordan@covidien.com

or

Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343

Vice President

Investor Relations

cole.lannum@covidien.com

or

Todd Carpenter, 508-452-4363

Director

Investor Relations

todd.carpenter@covidien.com