Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair Technique Depicted On the Internet.

Business Editors/Health, Medical & Internet Writers

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.--(BW HealthWire)--July 31, 2000

A minimally invasive surgical technique recently referred to in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons as "the treatment of choice" for incisional hernia repair is now depicted on the Internet.

A clinical folio module on laparoscopic incisional hernia repair may be viewed at the Vesalius web site (http://www.vesalius.com/graphics/cf_procedures/lap_ven_hern/cfpr_lap_ ven_hern1.asp). The module consists of animated graphics with narratives that describe each step of the procedure.

The laparoscopic repair of large incisional, or ventral, hernias features the placement of large pieces of GORE-TEX(R) DUALMESH(R) PLUS Biomaterial into the abdomen through very small trocar incisions. In contrast, the traditional repair of incisional hernias usually involves the creation of a much larger incision and considerable dissection and mobilization of tissue.

In the June edition of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a multi-center study titled Laparoscopic Ventral and Incisional Hernia Repair in 407 Patients, reported that by using this minimally invasive technique the authors were able to achieve a recurrence rate of only 3.4%, compared to traditional failure rates of 25-49%.

These results led the article's reviewer to comment that, "The present study supports the assertion that laparoscopic surgery is the treatment of choice for ventral hernias."

DUALMESH(R) PLUS Biomaterial combines two antimicrobial preservative agents with a uniquely constructed prosthetic material. Chlorhexidine diacetate and silver carbonate inhibit bacterial colonization of the device for up to 10 days after implantation. These agents have been shown to be effective against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.

The two-sided nature of DUALMESH(R) PLUS Biomaterial is especially well-suited for the intra-abdominal placement necessitated by the laparoscopic approach to incisional hernia repairs. One of the sides of the biomaterial features a smooth surface with low porosity. This side is optimal for placement against bowel where reduced tissue attachment to the device is desired.

The opposite side -- designed for fascial interface -- features "ridges" and "valleys" that elicit a heightened tissue fixation process to the inside of the abdominal wall.

Support for the creation of this module was provided by the Medical Products Division of W. L. Gore & Associates Inc., and the Vesalius division of Lion Reef Software Inc.

About Vesalius

Vesalius (http://www.vesalius.com), an Internet-based resource for surgical education, provides free access for the medical community to over 100 graphical narratives on surgical anatomy and procedures and over 2,000 original medical images and illustrations.

Launched in 1998, Vesalius has emerged as the premier forum on the Web for the dissemination of graphical information on state-of-the-art surgical techniques. Lion Reef Software Inc. of Potomac, Md. produces Vesalius.

About W. L. Gore & Associates Inc.

W. L. Gore & Associates Inc., is one of the world's leading technology-based companies.

For more than 40 years, the Gore vision -- Creative Technologies Worldwide -- has been employed in the manufacture of high quality products for diverse industries, including medical, aerospace, automotive, chemical, computer, defense, energy, industrial automation, fabrics, pharmaceutical, semiconductor and telecommunications.

Posting annual sales exceeding $1.23 billion, Gore operates more than 45 facilities and employs over 6,500 associates around the world.

Gore's Medical Products Division (http://www.goremedical.com) provides such healing solutions as prosthetic grafts for the repair and replacement of damaged and diseased blood vessels, interventional (i.e. catheter based) devices for minimally invasive therapies, patches for soft tissue regeneration, staple line reinforcement material for lung resections and bariatric surgery procedures for gastric banding and gastric bypass, and surgical sutures for use in vascular, cardiac, general surgery and orthopedic procedures.

GORE Medical Products are uniquely designed for biocompatibility, and work in harmony with the body's own tissues to restore normal body functions.

GORE, GORE-TEX(R), DUALMESH(R), DUALMESH(R)PLUS, are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.

(c)2000 W. L. Gore & Associates Inc.