Karl Storz Endoscopy - America partners with Cleveland Clinic; agreement will help advance minimally invasive surgery.

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(HealthWire)--Jan. 20, 1997--Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc. Monday announced it has entered into an agreement with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation as one of the corporate partners selected to develop a Minimally Invasive Surgery Center in Cleveland, dedicated to the advancement of patient care, research and education in minimally invasive surgery.

"The Minimally Invasive Surgery Center is a cooperative between leading healthcare entities that want to combine their resources to build the No.1 minimally invasive surgery training center in the world," Fred Herdman, executive director of marketing, Karl Storz, said.

"We're honored to support the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. Because we provide products for every endoscopic surgical specialty, we are uniquely positioned to complement The Cleveland Clinic in demonstrating the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to the entire healthcare community."

According to statistics released by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, by the year 2000, 70 percent to 90 percent of all high-volume surgeries in the United States are expected to be performed endoscopically.

As part of the agreement, Karl Storz will provide funding for reusable endoscopic equipment and key technical personnel. Karl Storz will also fund research projects that focus on the development of laparoscopic techniques and further the understanding of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Additionally, Karl Storz will support the clinic by providing physicians training and hands-on experience in laparoscopic methods.

"We believe the success of such a center is dependent on advanced technologies and active participation from corporate partners dedicated to furthering minimally invasive surgery," Joe Hahn, chairman of the division of surgery, Cleveland Clinic, said. "Karl Storz' long tradition of innovation in endoscopy complements our own approach to medicine, which prompted our decision to work together."

Four leading laparoscopic surgeons have been recruited by the clinic to lead the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, including Michael Gagner, M.D., general surgery; Tommaso Falcone, M.D., gynecology; Jeffrey Milsom, M.D., colorectal surgery; and Jeffrey Ponsky, M.D., general surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery grew exponentially with advancements in video technology during the 1980s and 1990s. These advancements allowed surgeons to explore body cavities through small puncture incisions and to view internal organs on a video monitor. These new minimally invasive procedures resulted in less post-operative pain, smaller scars and faster recovery in many patients compared with conventional open surgery.

Celebrating 75 years of world-class care, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation continues to advance the frontiers of medicine by providing state-of-the-art care in a multispecialty academic medical center model. Since its founding in 1921, clinical and hospital care have been integrated with research and education in a private, non-profit group practice which has distinguished The Cleveland Clinic in American medicine.

Today at The Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida, nearly 700 full-time, salaried physicians represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. Every year, The Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida provide for more than 993,000 outpatient visits and 41,000 hospital admissions from throughout the United States and more than 80 countries.

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America is an affiliate of Karl Storz Endoskope GmbH & Co., an international leader in reusable endoscope technology with more than 50 years of providing a broad-based product line encompassing all endoscopic specialties.

Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, Karl Storz Endoskope GmbH & Co. is a privately held, family owned company that designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all its products with an emphasis on visionary design, precision craftsmanship and clinical effectiveness.

CONTACT: Karl Storz Endoscopy - America Inc.

Cindy Monticue, 310/558-1500 ext. 399