Health Care Professional View
Dr. James E. Dowd discusses the benefits of Topical Skin Adhesives versus staples with his patient, Diane McGaw, who describes her healing and cosmetic outcome six weeks post-surgery.
Shaping the Future of Surgery
Delivering Meaningful Innovation
Secure wound closure is an integral part of nearly every surgical procedure. Since 1887, Ethicon has pioneered advances in suture and needle technology that enable you to minimize tissue trauma, optimize healing, and improve patient outcomes.
Transforming Business Models
Single SSI can cost a hospital nearly $39,000.1 Triclosan sutures are proven to inhibit bacterial colonization of the suture.2-4
Responding With a Caring Spirit
PROLENE® gives Catherine Oyler a whole heart. Hear from Johnson & Johnson VP of Global Public Health about her open heart surgery.
At Ethicon, weʼre focused on improving health outcomes for patients and helping solve the greatest health challenges… with only meaningful innovation. The kind that led to the creation of the first sutures, that helped revolutionize surgery with minimally invasive procedures, and that elevates standards of care around the world.
1887 — Sterile Sutures
Johnson & Johnson’s mass production of sterile sutures and other products ushered in the widespread practice of modern antiseptic surgery that dramatically raised survival rates.
1960 — SURGICEL® Original
SURGICEL® made history as the first oxidized regenerated cellulose hemostat and set a new standard for managing surgical bleeding.
1969 — PROLENE® Polypropylene Suture
The first synthetic sterile suture, PROLENE® Polypropylene Suture is used in cardiac bypass surgery for its strength, secure knotting and biocompatibility.
1978 — PROXIMATE® Disposable Skin Stapler
This game-changing skin stapler introduced disposable instruments to the OR. The success of disposable PROXIMATE opened the door to new innovations for open and minimally invasive procedures.
1979 — Coated VICRYL® (polyglactin 910) Suture
Used by surgeons around the world today for general surgery use, Coated VICRYL® (polyglactin 910) Suture balances the surgeon’s need for slide with knot security in achieving reliable approximation and closure.
1988 —Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
First Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and development of Minimally Invasive solutions
1993 — Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Founded in Ohio, Ethicon Endo-Surgery brought surgical technologies and solutions including staplers, energy devices and trocars.
1995 — Telesurgery
Our pioneering live telesurgery, Dr. J. Barry McKernan performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the American College of Surgeons’ annual meeting introduced clinicians to the possibilities of distance learning.
1998 — DERMABOND® Topical Skin Adhesive
The first FDA-approved topical skin adhesive in the U.S., DERMABOND® Topical Skin Adhesive paved the way for replacing sutures with a new generation of skin closure solutions.5,6
1998 — HARMONIC® Shears
Our launch of the first 5mm HARMONIC® shears allowed surgeons for the first time to dissect, cut and coagulate with one ultrasonic energy device with minimal lateral thermal damage.
2000 — Fighting Obesity
Committed to shaping the future of surgery in the fight against obesity and metabolic diseases and helping to elevate the standard of care through research and evidence, best-in-class education and training, innovative products and expanding patient access to care.
2003 — PLUS Sutures
The first commercially available antibacterial suture, Coated VICRYL® Plus Antibacterial (polyglactin 910) Suture broke new ground in addressing a known risk factor for surgical-site infections (SSI), bacterial colonization of the suture.4
2011 — ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler
This first powered endocutter with system-wide compression and stability helped to fuel the revolution to minimally invasive approaches. Less unwanted movement of the tip offered the potential for reduced trauma to vital structures, even in thick tissue and at awkward angles.
2015 — VERB Surgical Partnership
Verb Surgical, founded in 2015, is developing a digital surgery platform built with technology from Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) and Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Verb’s platform will include robotics, visualization, advanced instrumentation, data analytics, and connectivity.
2016 — NEUWAVE Medical Acquisition
Ethicon acquires NeuWave Medical, Inc., a company that manufactures and markets minimally invasive soft-tissue microwave ablation systems. This acquisition is consistent with the strategy of advancing innovation and investing in areas of unmet medical needs such as surgical oncology.
2017 — MEGADYNE Acquisition
The acquisition of Megadyne’s innovative portfolio of electrosurgical tools represents a major step forward in Ethicon’s goal to deliver the most comprehensive suite of intelligent energy solutions that enhance precision and efficiency in the operating room.
Health Authorities Recommended
The use of triclosan-coated sutures for surgical site infection (SSI) prevention is now recommended by three globally recognized health authorities: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),⁵* World Health Organization (WHO)⁶* and American College of Surgeons & Surgical Infection Society (ACS & SIS.)⁷*
*The CDC, WHO, and ACS/SIS guidelines on reducing the risk of surgical site infections are general to triclosan-coated sutures and are not specific to any one brand.
Infection Can Be Catastrophic
Protect your patients from the inside out.
Ethicon’s unique products provide watertight closure and protection against bacteria at every layer as shown in vitro.2,3,8-10 For secure closure of deeper layers, use STRATAFIX™ Knotless Tissue Control Devices, the only barbed suture with Plus Antibacterial Technology.‡ For a flexible, microbial barrier, use DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure System.10
Now Available In 60+ Codes
STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device - Expanded Portfolio for Greater Versatility.
All the right lengths, sizes, and needle combinations for laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and open procedures across a variety of procedures and tissue types.
Always Prepared
One family. 5 products. Trusted for 50+ years.22-25
Trust the SURGICEL® Family of Absorbable Hemostats for every continuous oozing bleeding situation.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence in Thoracic Surgery
Your Choice of Stapler Matters
We recently completed peer-reviewed studies, which allow us to share compelling evidence that ECHELON FLEX™ Powered Staplers have been associated with improved clinical and economic outcomes compared to Medtronic non-powered staplers.26
Your closure is their beginning
Patient website now available for DERMABOND® Prineo Skin Closure System. Direct your patients to PrineoForPatients.com today.
STRATAFIX Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control
STRATAFIX™ Symmetric is the only barbed suture that provides strong, secure closure appropriate for high-tension areas, such as fascia.11-16
DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure System
Optimized healing and high patient satisfaction delivered through a powerful combination of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) and self-adhering mesh.19,20
Coated VICRYL® Plus Antibacterial (polyglactin 910) Suture
Coated VICRYL Plus Sutures offer benefits in a range of surgical applications, including smooth tissue passage, exceptional handling, and knot security.21
PROLENE® Polypropylene Suture with HEMO-SEAL Technology
A unique needle-suture combination which helps preserve visualization of the surgical site and enables accurate bite placement by significantly reducing needle hole bleeding.
PDS® Plus Antibacterial (polydioxanone) Suture
PDS Plus Sutures provide multiple benefits to address risk factors associated with dehiscence and infection in fascial closure, including: Immediate support during the critical healing period (14 to 28 days) and extended support as the fascia slowly regains strength.2,20,21 Protection against colonization of the suture by bacteria commonly associated with surgical site infections (SSIs). Propriety polymer that passes smoothly through tissue and utilizes a hydrolytic process to minimize tissue reaction during absorption.20
‡ Refers to STRATAFIX™ devices with Plus Antibacterial Technology only
1. Lissovoy, G. D., Fraeman, K., Hutchins, V., Murphy, D., Song, D., & Vaughn, B. B. (2009). Surgical site infection: Incidence and impact on hospital utilization and treatment costs. American Journal of Infection Control, 37(5), 387-397.
2. Ming X, Rothenburger S, Nichols MM. In vivo and in vitro antibacterial efficacy of PDS Plus (polidioxanone with triclosan) suture. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2008;9(4):451-457.
3. Ming X, Rothenburger S, Nichols MM, Rothenburger S. In Vivo Antibacterial Efficacy of MONOCRYL Plus Antibacterial (Poliglecaprone 25 withTriclosan) Suture. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2007; 8(2):1-5.
4. Rothenburger S, Spangler D, Bhende S, Burkley D. In vitro antimicrobialevaluation of coated Vicryl Plus Antibacterial Suture (coated polyglactin 910 with triclosan) using zone of inhibition assays. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2002;3 (suppl):S79-S87.
5. Berríos-Torres SI, Umscheid CA, Bratzler DW, et al. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 2017. JAMA Surg. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0904.
6. WHO Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 2016.
7. Ban KA, Minei JP, Laronga C, et al. American College of Surgeons and Surgical Infection Society: Surgical Site Infection Guidelines, 2016 Update. J Am Coll Surg. 2016;224:59-74.
8. Nett M, Avelar R, Sheehan M, Cushner F. Water-tight knee arthrotomy closure: comparison of a novel single bidirectional barbed self-retaining running suture versus conventional interrupted sutures. J Knee Surg. 2011;24:55-59.
9. Shikanov S, Wille M, Large M, Lifshitz DA, Zorn KC, Shalhav AL, Eggener SE. Knotless closure of the collecting system and renal parenchyma with a novel barbed suture during laparoscopic porcine partial nephrectomy. J Endurology. 2009;23:1157-1160.
10. Su 06TR071, Study Report for in vitro evaluation of microbial barrier properties of DERMABOND ProTape. Ethicon, Inc.
11. 100326296: Time Zero Tissue Holding - Competitive Claims Comparisons for STRATAFIX Knotless Tissue Control Devices vs Various Products. 2015.
12. Performance Testing of STRATAFIX SYMMETRIC PDS PLUS Size 0 & 1 Devices – Initiation Strength in Porcine Tissue. AST-2013-0603.
13. AST-2013-0056 Performance Testing of STRATAFIX Symmetric PDSSize2-0 suture device for Tissue Holding Strength with Multiple Incision Defects to Measure Gapping.
14. Ethicon study PSE 09-0204, project number 11822. Exploratory histological and biomechanical evaluation of DOLFIN following closure of the ventral abdominal wall in a porcine model at 7±1 days. Approved on July 7, 2010.
15. Ethicon Performance Evaluation Memo AST-2012-0510. Performance Testing of STRATAFIX Symmetric Size 2-0 suture device for Tissue Holding Strength with an Incision Defect to Measure Gapping. Dated December 3, 2012.
16. STRATAFIX Symmetric PDS Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device. Instructions for Use. Ethicon, Inc.
17. Directions Research. PRINEO Claims Exploration US Patient & Surgeon Reference Data. 2017.
18. DERMABOND™ PRINEO™ Skin Closure System Instructions for Use. Ethicon, Inc.
19. Coated VICRYL Plus Antibacterial (polyglactin 910) Sutures Instructions for Use. Ethicon, Inc.
20. Ethicon Wound Closure Manual. 2007. Ethicon, Inc.
21. Bloemen A, van Dooren P, Huizinga BF, Hoofwijk AGM. Randomized clinical trial comparing polypropylene or polydioxanone for midline abdominal wall closure. Br J Surg. 2011;98:633-639.
22. US Market Share Report, October 2016. Ethicon, Inc.
23. SURGICEL® Technical Report, 2018. Ethicon, Inc.
24. Hong YM, Loughlin KR. The use of hemostatic agents and sealants in urology. J Urol. 2006;176(6 Pt 1):2367-2374.
25. SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat. Full Prescribing Information. Ethicon, Inc.
26. Ethicon retrospective analysis of economic and clinical outcomes comparing the use of Echelon Powered vs. Medtronic non-powered endoscopic surgical staplers to treat patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy.Review of 3,006 cases between 2012 and 2015 from the Premier Perspective® Hospital Database. Data assessed included length of stay, total hospital cost, supply cost, room & board cost, incidence of transfusion, and incidence of hemostasis-related complications; all p ≤ 0.05.
For complete indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions, please reference full package insert.
SURGICEL Essential Product Information
INDICATIONS
SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat (oxidized regenerated cellulose) is used adjunctively in surgical procedures to assist in the control of capillary, venous, and small arterial hemorrhage when ligation or other conventional methods of control are impractical or ineffective. SURGICEL® ORIGINAL, SURGICEL® FIBRILLAR™, SURGICEL® NU-KNIT®, and SURGICEL® SNoW™ Absorbable Hemostats can be cut to size for use in endoscopic procedures.
PRECAUTIONS
Use only as much SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat as is necessary for hemostasis, holding it firmly in place until bleeding stops. Remove any excess before surgical closure in order to facilitate absorption and minimize the possibility of foreign body reaction.
In urological procedures, minimal amounts of SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat should be used and care must be exercised to prevent plugging of the urethra, ureter, or a catheter by dislodged portions of the product.
Since absorption of SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat could be prevented in chemically cauterized areas, its use should not be preceded by application of silver nitrate or any other escharotic chemicals.
If SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat is used temporarily to line the cavity of large open wounds, it should be placed so as not to overlap the skin edges. It should also be removed from open wounds by forceps or by irrigation with sterile water or saline solution after bleeding has stopped.
Precautions should be taken in otorhinolaryngologic surgery to assure that none of the material is aspirated by the patient. (Examples: controlling hemorrhage after tonsillectomy and controlling epistaxis.)
Care should be taken not to apply SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat too tightly when it is used as a wrap during vascular surgery (see Adverse Reactions section of the complete product package insert).
ADVERSE EVENTS
“Encapsulation” of fluid and foreign body reactions have been reported.
There have been reports of stenotic effect when SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat has been applied as a wrap during vascular surgery.
Paralysis and nerve damage have been reported when SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat was used around, in, or in proximity to foramina in bone, areas of bony confine, the spinal cord, and/or the optic nerve and chiasm.
Blindness has been reported in connection with surgical repair of a lacerated left frontal lobe when SURGICEL® Absorbable Hemostat was placed in the anterior cranial fossa.
Possible prolongation of drainage in cholecystectomies and difficulty passing urine per urethra after prostatectomy have been reported.
For more information, please consult your doctor or for product quality and technical questions, call 1-800-795-0012. For complete product information including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions, please reference the individual product package inserts.
SURGICEL® Powder Absorbable Hemostat Essential Product Information
INDICATIONS
SURGICEL® Powder (oxidized regenerated cellulose) is used adjunctively in surgical procedures to assist in the control of capillary, venous, and small arterial hemorrhage when ligation or other conventional methods of control are impractical or ineffective.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Do not inject or place SURGICEL® Powder into an open blood vessel. Do not use to treat bleeding from large defects in arteries or veins.
SURGICEL® Powder should not be used to control hemorrhage from large arteries or veins.
When SURGICEL® Powder is used to help achieve hemostasis in, around, or in proximity to foramina in bone, areas of bony confine, the spinal cord, or the optic nerve and chiasm, it must always be removed after hemostasis is achieved since it will swell and could exert unwanted pressure.
SURGICEL® Powder should not be used for implantation in bone defects, such as fractures, since there is a possibility of interference with callus formation and a theoretical chance of cyst formation.
WARNINGS
Closing with SURGICEL® Powder in a contaminated wound without drainage may lead to complications and should be avoided.
SURGICEL® Powder should not be impregnated with anti-infective agents or with other materials such as buffering or hemostatic substances.
SURGICEL® Powder is dry and there may be difficulties in precise delivery under certain circumstances. Unintentional device placement may result in powder scattering and device migration that may increase the risk of adhesion formation.
Although SURGICEL® Powder is bactericidal against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, it is not intended as a substitute for systemically administered therapeutic or prophylactic antimicrobial agents to control or to prevent postoperative infections.
Do not attempt to trim the applicator tip.
PRECAUTIONS
SURGICEL® Powder should not be used in conjunction with autologous blood salvage circuits, because its fragments may pass through the transfusion filters of blood-scavenging systems.
Use only as much SURGICEL® Powder (oxidized regenerated cellulose) as is necessary and apply only where needed for hemostasis. Remove any excess before surgical closure in order to facilitate absorption and to minimize the possibility of foreign body reaction.
In urological procedures, minimal amounts of SURGICEL® Powder should be used and care must be exercised to prevent plugging of the urethra, ureter, or a catheter by dislodged portions of the product.
Since absorption of SURGICEL® Powder could be prevented in chemically cauterized areas, its use should not be preceded by application of silver nitrate or any other escharotic chemicals.
If SURGICEL® Powder is used temporarily to line the cavity of open wounds, it should be removed by irrigation with sterile water or saline solution after bleeding has stopped.
Precautions should be taken in otorhinolaryngologic surgery to ensure that none of the material is aspirated by the patient (e.g., controlling hemorrhage after tonsillectomy and controlling epistaxis).
This applicator tip is not intended for laparoscopic or other endoscopic use.
ADVERSE EVENTS
Paralysis and nerve damage have been reported when other SURGICEL® products were used around, in, or in proximity to foramina in bone, areas of bony confine, the spinal cord, and/or the optic nerve and chiasm.
Blindness has been reported in connection with surgical repair of a lacerated left frontal lobe when other SURGICEL® products were placed in the anterior cranial fossa (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
Foreign body reactions have been reported with other products from the SURGICEL® Family of Absorbable Hemostats.
Burning has been reported when other SURGICEL® products were applied after nasal polyp removal. Headache, burning, stinging, and sneezing in epistaxis and other rhinological procedures, and stinging when SURGICEL® product was applied on surface wounds (varicose ulcerations, dermabrasions, and donor sites) have also been reported.
For more information and technical questions, call 1-800-795-0012. For complete information including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, and directions for use, consult the product package insert.
