Kinetic Concepts announces U.S. launch of Prevena Incision Management System

Aug 24 2010

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) announced today the U.S. launch of the Prevena™ Incision Management System, the latest addition to KCI's negative pressure technology platform.

“I've used the Prevena™ System for cardiac surgical patients at risk for postoperative sternal wound complications and have been extremely impressed with the results”

The Prevena™ System leverages the clinically proven effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy that KCI pioneered with the V.A.C.® Therapy System, which has been used to treat millions of complex open wounds since its introduction. The Prevena™ System is expected to be used most often for linear incisions associated with general surgery, OB/GYN, orthopedic and cardiothoracic incisions.

"Surgeons know all too well that an operation cannot be deemed a success simply when the last suture or staple is made," said Mike Genau, global president of KCI's Active Healing Solutions™ business. "An operation is a success when the incision heals without incident. The Prevena™ System is designed to promote that favorable healing environment."

Examples of complications that can follow surgical incisions include dehiscence (reopening of the wound,) infection, hematoma and seroma. In addition to lengthening hospital stay and increasing cost of care, these complications can compromise patient quality-of-life.

The Prevena™ System is indicated for use over clean, closed incisions that continue to drain following sutured or stapled closure. It acts by:

• Removing exudate and potentially infectious material
• Protecting the surgical site from external contamination
• Providing a clean, protected postoperative wound environment
• Helping draw the edges of the incision together

The Prevena™ System is designed for single-patient use. Portable and discreet, it is designed to be applied as the last step of the surgical procedure and may accompany the patient during transition from the hospital to the home.

"I've used the Prevena™ System for cardiac surgical patients at risk for postoperative sternal wound complications and have been extremely impressed with the results," said Broadus Zane Atkins, MD from the VA Medical Center in Durham, N.C. "Based on our experience, negative pressure wound therapy applied to surgical incisions clearly makes a difference in helping to promote favorable postoperative outcomes when used as indicated, which is why we've incorporated it as a standard of care in our practice."

In addition to the Prevena™ System, KCI's negative pressure surgical management portfolio also includes the ABThera™ Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy System, designed to manage the open abdomen.