Talk track

Key Messages

  • The strength and reliability of the needle is just as important as the needle itself.
  • STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus is paired with premium Ethicon needles that are resistant to bending or breaking, and penetrate tissue smoothly.1
  • The STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus is the only barbed suture specifically designed for high-tension areas like fascia.
  • STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus provides superior tissue-holding strength—39% greater than Coated VICRYL™ Suture and 15% stronger than Medtronic’s V-Loc™ 180 in subcutaneous tissue​​.4
  • STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus offers extended wound-holding support for up to 6 weeks, compared to 3 weeks with V-Loc™ 180, ensuring the fascia remains securely approximated during the critical healing period​​.5,6
  • STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus incorporates Plus Antibacterial Technology with triclosan coating, which has been shown in vitro to inhibit E.coli colonization of the suture for 17 days and S. aureus for 23 days.7
  • A meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials showed a 28% reduction in SSI risk with the use of triclosan-coated sutures​.13¶#**
  • STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus eliminates the need for knot tying, which reduces OR time and cost and ensures consistent tension across the closure line.

Detailed Talk Track

I understand you’ve encountered issues with needle bending or breaking during robotic procedures, particularly when closing the fascia. I’d like to introduce a solution that not only addresses this concern but also maximizes the efficiency, security and consistency of your fascia closures. As you have experienced first hand the strength and reliability of the needle is just as important as the needle itself. STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus is paired with premium Ethicon needles that are resistant to bending or breaking, and penetrate tissue smoothly.1 These needles offer superior penetration performance, requiring less force while maintaining strength through dense fascial tissue. In competitive performance testing, Ethicon needles like the ETHICON STRATAFIX CT-1 exhibited greater strength compared with Medtronic V-LOC(TM) and QUILL CT-1.2,3 The STRATAFIX(TM) CTX demonstrated less penetration force compared with Medtronic V-Loc(TM) sutures.2 STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus suture uses a pressed symmetrical anchor design and pattern that provides more security, consistency, and efficiency than traditional sutures. If high tensile strength was mentioned as a need – When closing the fascia, it’s critical to use a suture that offers robust tensile strength to withstand the stress and prevent dehiscence. The STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus is the only barbed suture specifically designed for high-tension areas like fascia. It provides superior tissue-holding strength—39% greater than Coated VICRYL™ Suture and 15% stronger than Medtronic’s V-Loc™ 180 in subcutaneous tissue.4 Additionally, it offers extended wound-holding support for up to 6 weeks, compared to 3 weeks with V-Loc™ 180, ensuring the fascia remains securely approximated during the critical healing period. This long-term strength retention is crucial for preventing complications like wound dehiscence.5,6
If reducing SSIs is mentioned as important – STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus incorporates Plus Antibacterial Technology with triclosan coating, which has been shown in vitro to inhibit E.coli colonization of the suture for 17 days and S. aureus for 23 days.7 This technology aligns with the CDC, ACS/Surgical Infection Society, and NICE guidelines, which recommend triclosan-coated sutures to reduce the risk of SSIs.*†,8-12 In fact, a meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials showed a 28% reduction in SSI risk with the use of triclosan-coated sutures.13¶#**
If efficiency is mentioned as important – STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus eliminates the need for knot tying, which not only reduces operative time but also ensures consistent tension across the closure line. This is particularly beneficial in robotic surgeries where dexterity can be limited by instrumentation. In fact, studies have shown that STRATAFIX™ sutures can lead to faster closure times compared to traditional sutures, with significant reductions in OR time and costs, especially in complex surgeries like thoracic procedures.14 This can translate into smoother workflows and reduced fatigue during lengthy robotic cases.

References

*These guidelines on reducing the risk of surgical site infections are general to triclosan-coated sutures and are not speci‹c to any one brand.
† 2021 NICE MedTech guidelines recommend the use of Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures as part of a bundle of care for preventing surgical site infection.33 
¶ In a meta-analysis that included 21 RCTs, 6462 patients, 95% CI: (14, 40%), P<0.001. 
#All triclosan-coated sutures in these RCTs were Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures (MONOCRYL™ Plus Antibacterial [poliglecaprone 25] Suture, Coated VICRYL™ Plus Antibacterial [polyglactin 910] Suture, and PDS™ Plus Antibacterial [polydioxanone] Suture). 
**Meta-analysis only included traditional (non-barbed) sutures. 
1. Ethicon Wound Closure Manual 2012. Ethicon, Inc.
2. Berrios-Torres SI, Umscheid CA, Bratzler DW, et al. Centers for disease control and prevention guideline for the prevention of surgical site infection, 2017. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(8):784-791.
3. Ban KA, Minei JP, Laronga C, et al. American college of surgeons and surgical infection society: surgical site infection guidelines, 2016 update. J Am Coll Surg. 2017; 224(1):59-74.
4. Nonnenmann H. Time Zero Tissue Holding – Competitive Claims Comparisons for STRATAFIX Knotless Tissue Control Devices vs Various Products (100326296). 2015. Ethicon, Inc
5. STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device Instructions for Use. Ethicon, Inc.
6. V-Loc™ 180 Absorbable Wound Closure Device Instructions for Use. Medtronic. 
7. Ming X, Rothenburger S, Nichols MM. In vivo and in vitro antibacterial efficacy of PDS Plus (polidioxanone with triclosan) suture. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2008;9(4):451-457.
8. Berríos-Torres SI, Umscheid CA, Bratzler DW, et al. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 2017. JAMA Surg. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0904.
9. Global guidelines on the prevention of surgical site infection. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/gpsc/ssi-prevention-guidelines/en/. Accessed October 5, 2018.
10. Ban KA, Minei JP, Laronga C, et al. American College of Surgeons and Surgical Infection Society: Surgical Site Infection Guidelines, 2016 Update. J Am Coll Surg. 2016;224:59-74.
11. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guideline. Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment. NICE website. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng125/chapter/Recommendations#closuremethods. Accessed February 14, 2022.
12. Prevention of postoperative wound infections. Recommendation of the Committee for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) at the Robert Koch Institute. Bundesgesundheitsbl. 2018; 61(4):448-473. 
13. de Jonge SW, Atema JJ, Solomkin JS, Boermeester MA. Meta-analysis andtrial sequential analysis of triclosan-coated sutures for the prevention of surgical-site infection. Br J Surg. 2017;104(2):e118-e133. 
14. Johnston SS, Chen BP, Tommaselli GA, Jain S, Pracyk JB: Barbed and conventional sutures in spinal surgery patients: an economic and clinical outcomes comparison. J Wound Care 2020, 29(Sup5a):S9-s20.



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