Smith & Nephew recalling some knee implants

LONDON (Reuters) - Smith & Nephew, Europe's biggest medical devices firm, is recalling a number of knee implants after some were found to have a higher than specified iron content, it said on Tuesday.

The British group said about 275 of the affected products had been implanted and that the recall process was working to determine the status of about 300 further implants, most of which are expected to be in stock rooms.

The recall, affecting its TC-PLUS, VKS and RT-PLUS knee ranges, is the second by Smith & Nephew in the past three months and its shares fell as much as 4.5 percent in early trade.

A spokeswoman said it would be up to surgeons whether any of the 275 implanted devices would have to be taken out, but noted the higher iron content was not expected to pose safety risks.

"The higher iron content of these implants is not expected to pose any toxicity or biocompatibility issues for patients," S&N said in a statement, adding there had been no reports to date of any patient problems with the implants.

"S&N is carrying out laboratory testing to determine if the implants' material properties or durability have been affected."

S&N, which described the recall as precautionary, said the higher iron content occurred as a result of a production error at a supplier's factory. It did not name the supplier.

The products were supplied mainly to Europe, with some going to the United States and elsewhere.

S&N said in August it was recalling 185 hip implants due to a packaging error by a subcontractor.

(Reporting by Mark Potter)