Medical Action's sales soar as Kendall and Medline recall lap sponges. (Medical Action Industries Inc.; Medline Industries Inc.)

In an ironic turn of events, sterile laparotomy sponges were voluntarily recalled in January by two of the nation's leading importers of Chinese gauze, resulting in nearly doubled sales that month for industry leader Medical Action Industries, Farmingdale, N.Y.

The problem may be far reaching, affecting other products manufactured from Chinese gauze such as operating room towels, according to the FDA. Manufacturers involved in the recall believe the problem may stem from the bleaching process used in the Chinese plants.

Kendall Healthcare Products Co., Mansfield, Mass., and Medline Industries, Inc., Mundelein, Ill., voluntarily recalled their Chinese-made …