Reported Reactions

Devices › Dermatome

Device brand name · Dermatome

Handpiece Electric Dermatome: medical device reports filed with FDA

1,825 reports name it, 2016–2026. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Zimmer Surgical. Product code GFD.

1,825
device reports naming the brand
0% of all MAUDE reports · about 175 a year
174
reports, 12 months to August 2026
236 in the 12 months before
92.6%
classified as malfunction
79.4% across the product code
0%
classified as death, as reported
0 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 1,825 reports that name the brand "Handpiece Electric Dermatome" (dermatome), received between February 2016 and August 2026; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Zimmer Surgical. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

174 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, down 26% from 236 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 malfunction (92.6%) and injury (7.4%); across all dermatome reports (product code GFD) death is recorded in 0% and malfunction in 79.4%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.

The device problems coded most often are failure to cut (19.7%), power problem (13%) and unstable (12.9%). The patient problems coded most often are no patient involvement, abrasion and laceration(s). 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

01835Sep 2021: 22Oct 2021: 23Nov 2021: 23Dec 2021: 142022Jan 2022: 33Feb 2022: 15Mar 2022: 27Apr 2022: 25May 2022: 18Jun 2022: 22Jul 2022: 16Aug 2022: 24Sep 2022: 23Oct 2022: 22Nov 2022: 21Dec 2022: 142023Jan 2023: 9Feb 2023: 20Mar 2023: 12Apr 2023: 15May 2023: 16Jun 2023: 30Jul 2023: 33Aug 2023: 35Sep 2023: 35Oct 2023: 27Nov 2023: 26Dec 2023: 192024Jan 2024: 30Feb 2024: 18Mar 2024: 16Apr 2024: 21May 2024: 19Jun 2024: 23Jul 2024: 18Aug 2024: 21Sep 2024: 15Oct 2024: 25Nov 2024: 26Dec 2024: 112025Jan 2025: 13Feb 2025: 22Mar 2025: 22Apr 2025: 28May 2025: 15Jun 2025: 22Jul 2025: 21Aug 2025: 16Sep 2025: 21Oct 2025: 12Nov 2025: 22Dec 2025: 112026Jan 2026: 11Feb 2026: 5Mar 2026: 14Apr 2026: 21May 2026: 16Jun 2026: 8Jul 2026: 13Aug 2026: 20

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

01392772016: 920162017: 602018: 9720182019: 1612020: 13520202021: 2502022: 26020222023: 2772024: 24320242025: 2252026: 1082026

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death0%0
Injury7.4%135
Malfunction92.6%1,690
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%1,825
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%0

Grey bar: all 8,195 reports carrying product code GFD. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.

Device problems coded

Device problem (FDA code)ReportsShareShare across product code
Failure to cut36019.7%26.9%
Power problem23813%6.2%
Unstable23512.9%6.6%
Intermittent loss of power20011%3.6%
Material frayed1779.7%2.3%
Failure to power up1025.6%2.4%
Corrodedthe device corroded804.4%1.5%
Naturally worn794.3%2.2%
Mechanical problema mechanical problem754.1%3.1%
Material deformation683.7%2.4%
Calibration problem673.7%3.1%
Noise, audible583.2%2.7%
Loss of powerthe device lost power573.1%1.8%
Output below specifications522.8%1.6%
Patient device interaction problem502.7%4.7%
Component missing462.5%1.9%
Insufficient device problem information402.2%1.7%
Breakthe device broke351.9%2.2%
Unexpected shutdown331.8%0.6%
Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem241.3%0.5%

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)ReportsShare
No patient involvement1327.2%
Abrasion663.6%
Laceration(s)351.9%
Skin tears70.4%
Tissue damage40.2%
Graft failure30.2%
Injurya physical injury20.1%
Localized skin lesion20.1%
Scar tissue20.1%
Suture abrasion20.1%
Appropriate clinical signs, symptoms and conditions term/code not available10.1%
Failure of implant10.1%
Impaired healingslow healing10.1%
Muscle/tendon damage10.1%
Skin maceration10.1%

Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.

In context

MeasureHandpiece Electric DermatomeProduct code GFDAll MAUDE reports
Reports1,8258,19526,136,888
Share of that pool—22.3%0%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports009
Classified as injury7.4%19.5%36.2%
Classified as malfunction92.6%79.4%62.3%
Filed by the manufacturer100%96.4%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 GFD

BrandReportsLatest 12 monthsClassified as death
Zimmer Air Dermatome2,6873720%
Air Dermatome Handpiece51100%
Dermatome AN Handpiece4461170%
Electric Dermatome Handpiece26500%
Air Dermatome Kit20500%
Padgett Model S Slimline Electric Dermatome24700%
Dermatome Blades17050%
Zimmer Skin Graft Mesher3,4632850%
Zimmer1,15902.8%
Fan Spray Kit8501730%
Hip Kit6521350%
Universal Hose 1015300%
Z S G M Cutter 1 5 1 Ratio Caution Sharp342170%
Z S G M Cutter 2 1 Ratio Caution Sharp22060%

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 Handpiece Electric Dermatome reports

How many FDA reports name Handpiece Electric Dermatome?

1,825 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 174 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

malfunction (92.6%) and injury (7.4%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

failure to cut (19.7%), power problem (13%), unstable (12.9%), intermittent loss of power (11%) and material frayed (9.7%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.

Who files these reports?

manufacturer reports (100%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.

Do these reports show that Handpiece Electric Dermatome 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.