Ethicon, Inc. Introduces Two Innovative Devices for Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair During American College of Surgeons (ACS) Annual Meeting

SOMERVILLE, N.J., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethicon, Inc., a worldwide leader in surgical care, today announced the launch of ETHICON SECURESTRAP™ 5mm Absorbable Strap Fixation Device, the first fixation device to feature an absorbable "strap" design, and ETHICON PHYSIOMESH™ Flexible Composite Mesh. These two new surgical devices provide secure mesh fixation and address patient comfort and surgeon ease-of-use in laparoscopic (minimally invasive) hernia repair procedures – the sixth most common outpatient surgery in the US. ETHICON SECURESTRAP™ and ETHICON PHYSIOMESH™ were recently granted 510(k) market clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These devices, which expand Ethicon's broad portfolio of hernia solutions, will be featured during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 96th Annual Clinical Congress, October 3-7, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

"Hernias are extremely common with more than one million Americans undergoing a hernia repair procedure every year," said Carl R. Doerhoff, MD, FACS, a practicing surgeon in Jefferson City, Missouri.* "Within the last five years we have seen tremendous innovations that advance the science of hernia repair and help our patients achieve optimal results."

The unique, absorbable "strap" design of ETHICON SECURESTRAP™ offers surgeons several advantages when performing hernia repair procedures. These include two points of fixation to straddle mesh pores and fibers including large-pore constructions, excellent holding strength when deployed at different angles, and secure mesh fixation during the tissue integration period.  The low profile of ETHICON SECURESTRAP™ minimizes a patient's exposure to foreign material on the internal organs.  

ETHICON PHYSIOMESH™, a light-weight and partially-absorbable polypropylene mesh, stretches to closely match the abdominal wall. The large pore construction allows for excellent parietal tissue integration, while the poliglecaprone 25 transparent film serves as a tissue separation barrier to minimize visceral attachments.  

Ethicon is committed to delivering innovative solutions for hernia repair and offers a wide portfolio of products to help surgeons meet their patients' needs. For more information about hernia repair and Ethicon's portfolio of hernia solutions products including Instructions for Use (IFU) for ETHICON SECURESTRAP™ and ETHICON PHYSIOMESH™, please visit www.herniasolutions.com or call 1-800-4ETHICON.

About Hernia Repair

A hernia is a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscles. The inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the weakened area of the abdominal wall to form a small balloon-like sac. A loop of intestine or abdominal tissue can push into the sac, which may cause a noticeable bulge under the skin. The pressure of tissue pushing through the weakened area can cause significant pain and discomfort. Surgery is the only way to treat a hernia. During a typical hernia procedure, a surgeon uses a fixation device to hold a piece of synthetic mesh over the weakened or torn abdominal muscle helping to repair the hernia. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), hernia procedures are the sixth most common outpatient surgery in the U.S. with more than one million Americans having the surgery each year.

About Ethicon, Inc.

Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is a trusted, world-wide leader in surgical care. For over a century, Ethicon has continuously introduced innovations in wound closure, general surgery, wound management, women's health and urology and aesthetic medicine that fulfill the Company's vision: Restoration of body and of life. For more information, visit www.ethicon.com.

* Carl R. Doerhoff, MD, FACS is a paid consultant to Ethicon, Inc.

SOURCE Ethicon, Inc.