KCI Launches ABTHERA™ Therapy in Japan

SAN ANTONIO

KCI, an Acelity Company, today announced the launch of ABTHERA™ Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy in Japan, expanding access to the Company’s surgical portfolio in the country. ABTHERA™ Therapy is a temporary abdominal closure system that allows surgeons to take control in managing challenging abdominal wall openings where primary closure is not possible and/or repeat abdominal entries are necessary.

“When dealing with patients managed with damage control for severe abdominal hemorrhage, abdominal compartment syndrome or severe peritonitis, using ABTHERA™ Therapy has been shown to be associated with proven patient outcomes,” said Dr. Demetrios Demetriades, Professor of Surgery, Keck USC School of Medicine and the Director of the USC Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Intensive Care Unit. “With the introduction of ABTHERA™ Therapy in Japan, clinicians now have a clinically demonstrated solution for a previously unmet, significant need, that manages the open abdomen at critical times, helping to achieve primary fascial closure more quickly.”

ABTHERA™ Therapy is supported by robust clinical evidence and is associated with improved outcomes, including increased patient survival, improved primary fascial closure rates, lower intensive care unit stays when compared to Barker’s vacuum-packing technique (BVPT). In one open label, prospective observational study of 168 patients (111 ABTHERA™ Therapy vs. 57 BVPT), ABTHERA™ Therapy patients were more likely to achieve primary fascial closure and had a reduction in 30-day all-cause mortality compared to patients who received BVPT (14% ABTHERA™ Therapy vs. 30% BVPT; p=0.01).¹

“Japan is one of the largest healthcare markets in the world, and this launch fills a significant unmet need, allowing us to better support clinicians and their patients in the operating room,” said R. Andrew Eckert, President and Chief Executive Officer of KCI. “We are able to deliver leading-edge technologies like ABTHERA™ Therapy by expanding upon our unparalleled expertise in wound care to innovate new solutions for our customers.”

ABTHERA™ Therapy is designed to:

• Actively remove fluid and help reduce edema
• Provide medial tension, which helps minimize fascial retraction and loss of domain
• Help protect abdominal contents from external environment
• Provide separation between the abdominal wall and viscera, protecting abdominal contents
• Allow rapid access for re-entry and does not require sutures for placement

KCI Chief Medical Officer Ron Silverman, M.D., F.A.C.S., added, “We have witnessed the demonstrated success of ABTHERA™ Therapy through countless clinical and retrospective studies around the globe. We are thrilled to be able to introduce this technology to clinicians in Japan through a series of educational lectures at several leading universities on the use of ABTHERA™ Therapy.”

Dr. Demetrios Demetriades led the lecture series and capped off his Japanese tour with a keynote address at the ABTHERA™ Therapy launch event on February 16 in Tokyo.

About ABTHERA™ Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy

The ABTHERA™ Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy is a temporary abdominal closure system that allows surgeons to take control early in managing a challenging open abdomen, helping to achieve primary fascial closure. The intended use of this system is for use in open abdominal wounds, with exposed viscera, including but not limited to abdominal compartment syndrome.

About KCI, an Acelity Company

KCI, an Acelity Company, is a well trusted brand in advanced wound care. We have built upon our pioneering market leadership in negative pressure wound therapy and revolutionized advanced wound care, providing solutions for both wound healing and surgical management. Our unsurpassed product offerings are available in more than 90 countries and deliver value through solutions that speed healing. KCI is a leader in quality, safety and customer experience and is committed to advancing the science of healing, KCI sets the standard for leading advanced wound therapy innovation.

¹ Cheatham ML, Demetriades D, Fabian TC, et al. Prospective study examining clinical outcomes associated with a negative pressure wound therapy system and Barker’s vacuum packing technique. World J Surg. 2013;37(9):2018-30.

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