SAN ANTONIO--()--Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced today that evidence presented at the Society for Vascular Surgery Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 2012 suggests the Prevena™ Incision Management System, when combined with standard perioperative infection prevention and meticulous surgical technique, may help decrease the incidence of groin surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing vascular procedures. Some studies report that SSIs of the groin can cost hospitals more than $20,000 per infection to treat and can have an adverse impact on patient quality of life.
“It goes without saying that prevention of surgical site infections of the groin after vascular procedures is much more cost effective than intervention,” said Tim Matatov, MD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. “The statistically significant reduction in infection rates found in this study is very encouraging.”
The retrospective study conducted by the LSU Division of Vascular Surgery involved 90 consecutive patients (115 groin incisions) who underwent femoral cut down for vascular procedures. The patient population was divided into a “Prevena group” and a “non-Prevena group.” Incisions in the non-Prevena group were managed using either an absorbent dressing or skin adhesive. Results from the study demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p-value=0.0011) in the incidence of overall infection on patients treated with the Prevena™ Incision Management System compared to non-Prevena™ treated patients.
“Results from this clinical study demonstrate a significant patient benefit in using Prevena™ Therapy on groin incisions,” said Ron Silverman, MD, chief medical officer, KCI. “It adds to the growing body of evidence that supports the use of Prevena™ Therapy over clean closed surgical incisions in patients that are considered at risk for a wound complication.”
The Prevena™ Incision Management System is intended to manage closed incisions that continue to drain following sutured or stapled closure. The System has been available to Acute Care Facilities since June 2010 and is an example of KCI’s continuing effort to change the practice of medicine with solutions that help speed healing, reduce complications and improve the lives of patients.
“Prevena™ is truly transforming how surgical incisions are healed, thereby expanding our surgical solution platform,” said Joe Woody, president & CEO, KCI. “This highlights the opportunity to expand our full suite of negative pressure wound therapy products into different or adjacent procedures that serve as a key area for growth, providing substantial clinical and economic benefit to our customers and patients.”
About KCI
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI has significantly advanced the science of wound healing over the course of more than three decades. KCI's success can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving patient outcomes while reducing the overall cost of care for patients around the world. KCI's proprietary negative pressure technologies have revolutionized the way in which caregivers treat a wide variety of wound types. The V.A.C.® Therapy System has been used on more than 6 million wounds worldwide. Additional information about KCI and its products is available at www.KCI1.com.