Smith & Nephew Highlights the ALLEVYN(TM) Difference at Symposium on Advanced Wound Care

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Advanced Wound Management Division of Smith & Nephew, Inc., a subsidiary of Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN; NYSE: SNN) invites those attending the upcoming Symposium on Advanced Wound Care to visit the Smith & Nephew booth 301, to see the ALLEVYN™ difference with its unique triple-action technology and dynamic moisture control.  The triple-action technology leverages today's most advanced materials – a direct result of 23 years of innovation, research and refinement.

"As leaders in wound care technology, we strive to raise the bar on product innovation and performance to emphasize how we're different," said Tom Dugan, North American President, Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management.  "I invite those attending SAWC to stop by our booth and discover what makes the unique triple-action technology of ALLEVYN different and visibly better."

Dynamic Moisture Control and Triple Action Technology

Only ALLEVYN offers unique triple action technology where the three layers of the dressing work together to manage moisture.  Smith & Nephew's REACTIC™ film is a hydrodynamic top film that actively responds to changing exudate levels.  The REACTIC film is different because it can 'switch on' to evaporate more moisture when fluid levels are high and 'switch off' when the fluid levels are low, optimizing wound closure.  

The second layer, the hydrocellular foam, is different because it allows for rapid fluid uptake and vertical wicking.  The advanced foam core moves exudate up vertically and locks in moisture until it evaporates, leading to 46% more fluid handling and less risk for maceration.

The wound contact layer offers secure, gentle contact making the difference in patient satisfaction and comfort. This third layer wicks moisture to reduce leakage and maceration and provides a barrier to exogenous bacteria.  

Dr. John Lantis II MD, Chief of Division, Endovascular-Vascular Surgery and Director of Clinical Research within the Department of Surgery at St. Luke-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, believes that controlling moisture is a key component to closing chronic wounds.  He relies on ALLEVYN to respond to the need of the patient and the wound to effectively manage fluid. "Because of the effective moisture control and reliable technology, there is less dressing weight, which results in greater patient comfort and an apparent decrease in the risk for maceration and wound breakdown," said Dr. Lantis.  "We're often able to leave ALLEVYN on a wound for up to seven days, which means greater cost effectiveness and fewer dressing changes.  Many of our patients with painful wounds tolerate the dressing better than many other dressings.   Knowing that the ALLEVYN brand is backed by Smith and Nephew's active research and refinement is reassuring and gives me confidence that I'm providing leading technology to my patients that have wounds," Dr. Lantis concluded.

Dr. Lantis will be presenting the interim results of his recent non-comparative evaluation on the efficacy of ALLEVYN Ag on the reduction of bioburden and closure of venous leg ulcers at the SAWC during the AAWC Research Poster Grand Round sessions on Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 4:45-5:45 pm and on Monday, April 19, 2010, from 3:30-4:30 pm.

ALLVEYN Ag

Also highlighted at the Smith & Nephew booth is ALLEVYN Ag, which, in addition to innovative technology, contains bactericidal levels of silver allowing for the greatest level of control in caring for chronic wounds at risk for infection.  The dressing provides protection against a broad range of bacteria, resulting in a significant (P<0.001) reduction in signs of infection (clinical study n=126).

ALLEVYN Gentle Border Heel

Smith & Nephew will also introduce a new product line extension, ALLEVYN Gentle Border Heel.  Offering all that a clinician would expect in an ALLEVYN Gentle Border dressing, Gentle Border Heel is designed to offer better protection and fluid management. The difference is in the shape allowing a versatility of application to different anatomical parts; from the heel to the neck and the knee to the spine, ALLEVYN Gentle Border Heel fits.  Not having to combine dressings reduces the time at dressing changes and optimizes clinical inventory.

"It's not only about the 30 seconds at dressing changes, it's about the time spent living with a wound where ALLEVYN makes a difference," concluded Tom Dugan.

About SAWC/WHS

The 23rd Annual SAWC/WHS Spring Meeting is the largest gathering of multidisciplinary wound care clinicians in the United States. It will be held from Saturday, April 17th to Tuesday, April 20th at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando, Florida. For more information visit http://spring.sawc.net/legacy/spring09.html.

For more information about the ALLEVYN product portfolio, please visit www.allevyn.com.

For more information about Smith & Nephew, please go to www.smith-nephew.com.  

About Us

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management.  Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives.  The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust.  The Company operates in 32 countries around the world.  Annual sales in 2009 were nearly $3.8 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline.  These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof.  All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing.  Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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SOURCE Smith & Nephew, Inc.