Bard Announces Sale of Millionth PerFix Plug.

Health/Medical Writers

MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--April 30, 2001

C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE:BCR) today announced it has reached the one million unit mark in U.S. sales of the Bard(R) Mesh PerFix(R) plug used in minimally-invasive hernia repair techniques that decrease operating time, reduce health care costs, and improve patient outcomes.

The PerFix plug is manufactured and marketed by Bard's Davol subsidiary - the market leader in hernia mesh products - located in Cranston, Rhode Island.

"The fact that surgeons have chosen the PerFix plug for the treatment of more than one million hernias is testimony to its simplicity and proven effectiveness," said Bard Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, William H. Longfield. "Since its introduction in 1993, the Bard Mesh PerFix plug has redefined the repair of primary and recurrent inguinal hernias."

A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening or hole in the abdominal wall. There are approximately 700,000 groin hernias repaired annually in the United States, with surgery being the only treatment for most hernias. According to IMS America, nearly one third of those are now repaired with the Bard Mesh PerFix plug.

The plug is made of polypropylene mesh, shaped into a cone. The device is inserted through the hernia defect and anchored in place with sutures. Because the edges of the cone are fluted, the plug expands and contracts as the patient moves, providing for a tension-free repair technique. The entire operation can be completed within 25 minutes or less and may be performed without general anesthesia, making it exceptionally cost-effective.

The Bard Mesh PerFix plug offers less pain and recovery time than conventional methods because the repair requires a very small incision, minimal tissue dissection, and fewer sutures. As a result, patients are usually up and walking within 1-2 hours and return to normal activities in an average of three days.

C. R. Bard, Inc., (www.crbard.com) headquartered in Murray Hill, New Jersey, is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of health care products in the fields of vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products.

Editors, please note: Surgeons can learn more about the PerFix plug hernia repair technique in a number of ways, including National Training Centers that provide an opportunity to view surgery and discuss experiences with peers, or an on-line training program at www.perfixplug.com. Davol will train more than 3000 surgeons this year alone on various hernia repair techniques.

The public can learn more about hernias and existing methods of repair by visiting www.herniainfo.com or by calling 1-800-HERNIAS. This website also provides an opportunity to have questions answered by an expert hernia repair surgeon.