UK medtech company Tissuemed has launched a new version of its ‘surgical cling film’ intended specifically for lung surgery.
TissuePatchThoracic is a solution for reducing air leaks during lung operations using laparoscopic surgery.
Tissuemed first launched the TissuePatch range, designed to minimise leaks during surgical procedures, in 2007.
The new adhesive film is more resilient and conformable than its predecessor. The accompanying instruments enable surgeons to use the product in Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) procedures.
Available data suggest that 70% of lung surgeries result in air leaks. Reducing the number and duration of surgical air leaks shortens operation and recovery times and reduces complications.
The new patch is designed to enable surgeons to seal internal air leaks during complex lung procedures such as tumour removal, in which part of the lung is resected and closed with staples. The film adheres by bonding to proteins on the surface of internal organs and tissues.
TissuePatchThoracic can be inserted using a VATS delivery system: a loading device takes the patch directly from the packaging into a delivery tube, ready to be placed on the target area.
Mr Kostas Papagiannopoulos, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at St James’s Hospital in Leeds, commented: “I’ve used the new product and it represents an improvement over the original. It’s stronger, softer and ultimately conforms to lung tissues better.”
“Surgeons always tell me that air leaks are always a problem in thoracic surgery,” said Nick Woods, CEO of Tissuemed. “With the introduction of TissuePatchThoracic, we believe we have addressed the key challenge of providing a solution that is easy to use, effective and economically justifiable. Reducing time in hospital is better for patients and represents a significant potential cost saving.”
Based in Leeds, Tissuemed specialises in surgical sealant film technology.
