Talk track

Key Messages

  • Choosing a suture that can withstand high-tension areas like the fascia, where secure, consistent closure is critical to avoid suture breakage.
  • The strength of the STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device is a result of an intact core and geometrically patterned anchors.
  • The STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device is 39% stronger than Coated VICRYL(TM) sutures with an interrupted technique and 25% stronger than Looped PDS(TM) with a continuous technique.1
  • The STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device had 15% greater tissue holding strength than V-Loc(TM) 180 device and provides 6 weeks of tissue strength compared with V-Loc’s(TM) 3 weeks.1
  • 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.2
  • A meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials showed a 28% reduction in SSI risk with the use of triclosan-coated sutures​.8¶#**
  • STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus eliminates the need for knot tying, which reduces OR time and cost and ensures consistent tension across the closure line.9

Detailed Talk Track

I can understand that when you encounter a suture breaking while closing the fascia this can be frustrating, particularly frustrating. Choosing a suture that can withstand high-tension areas like the fascia, where secure, consistent closure is critical. I’d like to introduce you to a solution designed to address these exact challenges—STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device. It offers superior strength, reliability, and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for closing the fascia in robotic procedures. The strength of the STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device is a result of an intact core and geometrically patterned anchors which deliver strength and security with every pass with out the need to tie knots. Bench top testing as shown the STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device is 39% stronger than Coated VICRYL(TM) sutures with an interrupted technique and 25% stronger than Looped PDS(TM) with a continuous technique. Another study showed that STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Device had 15% greater tissue holding strength than V-Loc(TM) 180 device and provides 6 weeks of tissue strength compared with V-Loc’s(TM) 3 weeks.1 If reducing SSIs is mentioned as important – STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus incorporates antibacterial technology with triclosan coating, which has been shown to inhibit bacterial colonization of the suture for 11 days or more.2 Using STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™ Plus sutures aligns with recommendations by the CDC, ACS/Surgical Infection Society, and NICE guidelines, which all advise that triclosan-coated sutures should be used to reduce the risk of SSIs.*†,3-7 In fact, a meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials showed a 28% reduction in SSI risk with the use of triclosan-coated sutures.8¶#** 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.9 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. Nonnenmann H. Time Zero Tissue Holding – Competitive Claims Comparisons for STRATAFIX Knotless Tissue Control Devices vs Various Products (100326296). 2015. Ethicon, Inc

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

CONFIDENTIAL. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE WITH ANY CUSTOMER OR FOR EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION.