KCI Sponsors Publication of Guidelines for the Management of the Open Abdomen; KCI'S V.A.C.(R) Therapy Central to Expert Advisory Panel's Exploration of Closure Techniques.

SAN ANTONIO -- Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI), a global medical technology company with leadership positions in advanced wound care and therapeutic surfaces, today announced the release of Guidelines for the Management of the Open Abdomen. The Guidelines offer findings from a multidisciplinary expert advisory panel convened over a two-day period to evaluate treatment options in the context of evidenced-based medicine. Among the panel's conclusions was that V.A.C.(R) Therapy along with the V.A.C.(R) Abdominal Dressing System, can be an effective tool in meeting many requirements for managing an open abdomen.

Led by Mark Kaplan, MD, FACS, the panel of esteemed opinion leaders includes prestigious surgeons and physicians and was formed with the priority of using the current body of literature to define guidelines and approaches. The panel also drew on personal clinical experience to formulate opinion. This also marks the first attempt to formalize the management of the open abdomen to advance the science and improve patient care.

The release of these Guidelines is an important document in a growing body of evidence that advances V.A.C.(R) Therapy's standing as a standard of care to help promote wound healing in the open abdomen.

"We're seeing an increase in the number of open abdomen procedures and yet management of the patient is at best an evolving concept with great risk associated," said Mark Kaplan, MD, FACS with Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia and the advisory's moderator and editor. "There are several techniques in common practice and too often with choice comes confusion in how best to deliver the most effective treatment. It is in this context that we came together to share personal experience and anecdotal evidence that adds another dimension to the clinical data available. While no gold standard yet exists for the treatment of the open abdomen, consensus suggests that when compared to other closure techniques, V.A.C.(R) Therapy is likely to emerge as a standard application."

The published Guidelines looked at the pathophysiology of the abdomen, abdominal compartment syndrome, rationale for closing the abdominal cavity versus rationale for leaving it open, a comparison of various available techniques, as well as clinical phases in management. Consensus related to V.A.C.(R) Therapy specifically, and as presented in the referenced Guidelines, indicated that:

--Complications found in patients with open abdomens may be few with V.A.C.(R) Therapy resulting in early closure of the abdomen

--V.A.C.(R) Therapy appears to be an advantageous treatment in managing the open abdomen and is applicable to most phases of the open abdomen

--Retrospective studies have shown V.A.C.(R) Therapy is effective in the management of open abdomen

KCI's Vice President and Medical Director, Dr. Adrianne "Patti" Smith, M.D. added, "As the publication of Guidelines for the Open Abdomen shows, we're seeing more consensus building around V.A.C.(R) Therapy for this wound type. This collective opinion is key in moving V.A.C.(R) as a standard of care and achieving improved outcomes for patients. We continue to be encouraged by the expanding volume of evidence and research in the field, both for this wound type and for a host of others for which V.A.C. (R) Therapy is currently indicated."

The V.A.C.(R) Therapy System is indicated to help promote healing of specific wound types, including dehisced wounds, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, chronic, acute and traumatic wounds, grafts and flaps and partial-thickness burns. The guidelines discussed the potential benefits of the V.A.C.(R) System, which include removing fluids and infectious materials, assisting in granulation and providing a moist wound healing environment.

The Guidelines for the Management of the Open Abdomen were published as a special supplement to the October 2005 issues of WOUNDS, an HMP Communications publication. To obtain the Guidelines in full, please contact a local KCI representative at 1-877-WOUNDVAC or view the document on line at the journals' Web sites.

The Guidelines were sponsored by an educational grant from KCI and authored by independent clinical experts and industry thought leaders. Some of the information represents the views and opinions of these experts based on their practice and expertise. Although the Guidelines and their conclusions generally discuss wound healing and specifically V.A.C.(R) Therapy System indications for use, including management of the open abdomen, they may contain certain information based on the authors' clinical experience that may not be a part of the device indications. KCI does not promote such claims and encourages the clinician to consult specific indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions in the V.A.C.(R) Therapy Clinical Guidelines, product literature and Instructions for Use prior to application.

About V.A.C.(R) Therapy

Our advanced wound care systems incorporate our proprietary Vacuum Assisted Closure(R), or V.A.C.(R) technology, which has been clinically demonstrated to help promote wound healing and may help reduce the cost of treating patients with difficult-to-treat wounds.

About KCI

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. is a global medical technology company with leadership positions in advanced wound care and therapeutic surfaces. We design, manufacture, market and service a wide range of proprietary products that can improve clinical outcomes while helping to reduce the overall cost of patient care. Our advanced wound care systems incorporate our proprietary V.A.C.(R) technology, which has been clinically demonstrated to help promote wound healing and can help reduce the cost of treating patients with serious wounds. Our therapeutic surfaces, including specialty hospital beds, mattress replacement systems and overlays, are designed to address pulmonary complications associated with immobility and to prevent skin breakdown. We have an infrastructure designed to meet the specific needs of medical professionals and patients across all health care settings including acute care hospitals, extended care facilities and patients' homes both in the United States and abroad.