Ethicon Provides Advanced Research on Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Lung Cancer Patients

Focused on improving patient outcomes around the world, Ethicon sponsors multiple clinical studies to understand and advance the use of minimally invasive treatment options in lung cancer

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Ethicon

Aug 03, 2016, 09:25 ET

CINCINNATI, Aug. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States – claiming almost as many lives each year as prostate, breast and colon cancer combined. Ethicon* is providing advanced research on minimally invasive treatment options and innovations in an effort to drive improved outcomes for lung cancer patients.

Ethicon: Improving patient outcomes in lung cancer through advancements in surgery

"Currently, a minority of pulmonary resections are being performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat lung cancer," said Dr. Edmund Kassis, Ethicon Medical Director for Thoracic Surgery. "There is a long-standing need to investigate the use of minimally invasive devices during VATS so that we can provide greater clinical evidence for cardiothoracic surgery professionals and health systems. Ultimately, better data will empower more providers and enable more patients to have cancers removed without large incisions, long hospital stays and higher costs."

Ethicon recently published positive new data resulting from two clinical trials which assessed how its ECHELON Flex™ 45 and 60 Powered ENDOPATH^® Staplers affect performance and postoperative outcomes, including air leak, in VATS: "A multi-center evaluation of a powered surgical stapler in video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection procedures in China"^{^[i]} and "Prospective Clinical Study to Evaluate Clinical Performance of a Powered Surgical Stapler in Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Resections"^{^[ii]} (U.S. and Europe).

All studies were designed to evaluate intraoperative and postoperative data associated with VATS procedures, with emphasis on post-operative air leak (PAL), which generally ranges from 10–15%.[iii] The results from the VATS studies in China show there were five occurrences (5.3%) of post-operative air leak, and of these, one incident (1.1%) of prolonged air leak among the 94 patients enrolled. Incidence of PAL for the U.S. (8.2%) and Europe (11.3%) were also within range of historic estimates. Surgeon satisfaction was high for device usability and articulationⁱⁱ, and was generally considered essential for a successful surgical outcome.

Ethicon is continuing to advance research in the field of minimally advanced treatment options for lung cancer by sponsoring The University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre's (CRCHUM) Ultrasonic Energy for Pulmonary Artery Branch Sealing During VATS Lobectomy clinical trial, a major international clinical trial to test a minimally invasive and safer surgical approach for patients with lung cancer: VATS lobectomy with ultrasonic pulmonary artery sealing.

The trial, designed to evaluate the immediate, short- and medium-term efficacy and safety of pulmonary artery sealing utilizing HARMONIC^® ACE+7 Shears, an ultrasonic energy device, during VATS, began enrolling patients in Montreal in July 2016, and enrollment at worldwide locations is expected to begin in September 2016. CRCHUM plans to follow 150 patients at up to 12 sites across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

"The clinical trial of HARMONIC ACE+7 Shears during VATS, part of the Ethicon advanced energy portfolio, underscores our commitment to advancements in treatments for cancer," said Dr. Edmund Kassis. "We hope this study will contribute to broader patient access to minimally invasive thoracic surgery techniques and address a long-standing patient need."

About Ethicon*
From creating the first sutures, to revolutionizing surgery with minimally invasive procedures, Ethicon has made significant contributions to surgery for more than 60 years. Our continuing dedication to Shape the Future of Surgery is built on our commitment to help address the world's most pressing health care issues, and improve and save more lives. Through Ethicon's surgical technologies and solutions including sutures, staplers, energy devices, trocars and hemostats and our commitment to treat serious medical conditions like obesity and cancer worldwide, we deliver innovation to make a life-changing impact. Learn more at www.ethicon.com, and follow us on Twitter @Ethicon.

Ethicon Worldwide Communications Contact:
Ann Leibson
Office: 513 337-8180
[email protected]

* Ethicon represents the products and services of Ethicon, Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC and certain of their affiliates. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. is the legal manufacturer of HARMONIC ACE+7®, ECHELON Flex™ 45 and 60 Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler.

[i] Qiu B, Yan W, Chen K, Fu X, Hu J, Gao S, Knippenberg S, Schwiers M, Kassis E, Yang T. A multi-center evaluation of a powered surgical stapler in video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection procedures in China. J Thorac Dis. 2016;8(5):1007-13.

[ii] Licht PB, Ribaric G, Crabtree T, Lanuti M, Molins L, Knippenberg S, Schwiers M, Yoo A. Prospective Clinical Study to Evaluate Clinical Performance of a Powered Surgical Stapler in Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Resections. Surg Technol Int. 2015;27:67-75.

[iii] Liang S, Ivanovic J, Gilbert S, et al. Quantifying the incidence and impact of postoperative prolonged alveolar air leak after pulmonary resection. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2013;145:948-54.

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SOURCE Ethicon