Devices › Agent, absorbable hemostatic, collagen based
Device brand name · Sponge sterile class iii
Gelfoam: medical device reports filed with FDA
416 reports name it, 2000–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Pfizer Device. Product code LMF.
- 416
- device reports naming the brand
- 0% of all MAUDE reports · about 16 a year
- 9
- reports, 12 months to August 2026
- 4 in the 12 months before
- 7%
- classified as malfunction
- 14.7% across the product code
- 7.7%
- classified as death, as reported
- 32 reports · not verified by FDA
416 medical device reports received by FDA name the brand "Gelfoam" (sponge sterile class iii); the manufacturer given most often on reports is Pfizer Device; received from February 2000 to July 2026. Brand names are as the reporter or manufacturer wrote them, so one product can appear under several spellings.
9 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, up 125% from 4 in the 12 months before. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases. The event types recorded are injury (85.1%), death (7.7%) and malfunction (7%); across all agent, absorbable hemostatic, collagen based reports (product code LMF) death is recorded in 4.4% and malfunction in 14.7%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.
The device problems coded most often are off-label use (43%), improper or incorrect procedure or method (37%) and lack of effect (7%). The patient problems coded most often are hemorrhage/blood loss/bleeding, hemoptysis and partial hearing loss. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."
Reports by month, five years
Reports by the month FDA received them. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases.
By year received
Event type and report source
Event type, as classified on the report
Who filed the report
Grey bar: all 2,114 reports carrying product code LMF. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.
Device problems coded
| Device problem (FDA code) | Reports | Share | Share across product code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-label use | 179 | 43% | 13.3% |
| Improper or incorrect procedure or method | 154 | 37% | 11% |
| Lack of effect | 29 | 7% | 2.2% |
| Fail-safe did not operate | 9 | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Product quality problem | 7 | 1.7% | 0.6% |
| False positive result | 6 | 1.4% | 0.3% |
| Defective devicethe device was defective | 4 | 1% | 1.4% |
| Patient-device incompatibilitythe device did not suit the patient | 4 | 1% | 3.2% |
| Therapeutic or diagnostic output failure | 4 | 1% | 0.6% |
| Migration or expulsion of device | 2 | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Unexpected therapeutic results | 2 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Clumping in device or device ingredient | 1 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Complete blockage | 1 | 0.2% | 0% |
| Contamination /decontamination problem | 1 | 0.2% | 0% |
| Defective component | 1 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Delivered as unsterile product | 1 | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Difficult to open or remove packaging material | 1 | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Loss of or failure to bond | 1 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Obstruction of flow | 1 | 0.2% | 0% |
| Particulates | 1 | 0.2% | 0.2% |
FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report; one report can carry several. Generic codes such as "no apparent adverse event" are left out.
Patient problems coded
| Patient problem (FDA code) | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hemorrhage/blood loss/bleeding | 49 | 11.8% |
| Hemoptysis | 37 | 8.9% |
| Partial hearing loss | 37 | 8.9% |
| Abscessa collection of pus | 25 | 6% |
| Fistula | 25 | 6% |
| Hearing impairment | 18 | 4.3% |
| Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term | 15 | 3.6% |
| Stenosis | 11 | 2.6% |
| Necrosisdeath of tissue | 10 | 2.4% |
| Total hearing loss | 10 | 2.4% |
| Hematomaa collection of blood under the skin or in tissue | 9 | 2.2% |
| Jaundiceyellowing of the skin or eyes | 9 | 2.2% |
| Sepsisa severe body-wide response to infection | 9 | 2.2% |
| Vomitingbeing sick | 8 | 1.9% |
| Post operative wound infection | 7 | 1.7% |
Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.
In context
| Measure | Gelfoam | Product code LMF | All MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reports | 416 | 2,114 | 26,136,888 |
| Share of that pool | — | 19.7% | 0% |
| Classified as death, per 1,000 reports | 77 | 44 | 9 |
| Classified as injury | 85.1% | 79.5% | 36.2% |
| Classified as malfunction | 7% | 14.7% | 62.3% |
| Filed by the manufacturer | 99% | 91.5% | 94.9% |
Shares are of reports, not of devices in use. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."
Other brands with product code LMF
| Brand | Reports | Latest 12 months | Classified as death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floseal | 270 | 7 | 3.7% |
| Floseal Hemostatic Matrix | 233 | 1 | 6.9% |
| Surgicel Absorbable Hemostat | 289 | 0 | 2.1% |
| Surgicel Absorbable Hemostat Unknown | 334 | 26 | 3.3% |
| Vasoseal Vhd | 639 | 0 | 1.3% |
| Baxter | 821 | 3 | 3.8% |
Ordered by report count for navigation only. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA also states that "common products may have a higher number of adverse events due to the higher total number of people using the product."
Questions about Gelfoam reports
How many FDA reports name Gelfoam?
416 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 9 in the latest 12 months.
What kinds of events are reported?
injury (85.1%), death (7.7%) and malfunction (7%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.
What device problems are coded?
off-label use (43%), improper or incorrect procedure or method (37%), lack of effect (7%), fail-safe did not operate (2.2%) and product quality problem (1.7%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.
Who files these reports?
manufacturer reports (99%) and voluntary reports (0.7%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.
Do these reports show that Gelfoam was at fault?
No. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA adds that "a causal relationship cannot be established between product and reactions listed in a report."
How do I report a problem with a medical device?
Through FDA MedWatch (Form FDA 3500 for health professionals and consumers), or to the manufacturer. See the guide on how to report.
Where this comes from. Counts are built from the openFDA Device Adverse Event (MAUDE) bulk export released 28 Sep 2026, which holds reports FDA received through 31 Aug 2026. Brand, generic and manufacturer names are as written on the reports; product code names come from FDA's device classification. A report counts here when any device it lists carries this brand name after punctuation and capitalisation are normalised. No report narrative, lot number, patient detail or reporter identity is published. See the methodology and sources; FDA's record is authoritative, and corrections are handled within five working days.
Drug data (FAERS) through 30 Jun 2026; device data (MAUDE) through 31 Aug 2026. Not medical advice.