US FDA says J&J's Ethicon issues correction related to surgical stapler

July 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. drug regulator said on Friday Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a unit of Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N, issued a correction for certain lots of a part related to its surgical stapler and classified the action as "most serious".

The issue is related to the device 'Endopath Echelon Vascular White Reload for Advanced Placement Tip' which tends to inadvertently lockout during surgical procedures, the Food and Drug Administration said on its website.

"There has been one reported death and one injury related to this issue," the agency added.

The part in question is a single-use cartridge that surgeons load into a stapler to cut and close blood vessels or tissue during an operation. This helps control bleeding and close wounds quickly.

However, the FDA said the device may sometimes appear to work but fail to cut or staple tissue during surgery, and could lead to life-threatening bleeding, surgical delays, or death.

Ethicon notified its affected customers through a correction letter in April, but the company's action is not a full product recall, the agency said.

The FDA said Ethicon has advised healthcare facilities to review affected batches and ensure operating room personnel are familiar with the device's instructions for use and lockout mitigation protocols.

Johnson & Johnson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.