Cardiovascular Researchers Use MEDIHONEY(TM) on Sternal Infections Following Open-Heart ...( Full Clinical Study Initiated F...),Health

Full Clinical Study Initiated Following Success with 8 Patients

PRINCETON, N.J., May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derma Sciences (OTC Bulletin Board: DSCI), a provider of advanced wound care products, today announced that a group of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons from the University of Wurzburg, Germany, have used MEDIHONEY(TM) dressings to successfully treat 8 patients with deep sternal wound infections (DSWI), a condition that sometimes arises after open-heart surgeries. The dressings were used in combination with V.A.C.(R) Therapy (KCI, San Antonio, Texas), the largest and fastest growing technology in advanced wound care. Based on the successful results of this observational study, the researchers have initiated a prospective, randomized, controlled study on the influence of MEDIHONEY on the treatment of DSWI.

Derma Sciences CEO Ed Quilty stated, "The results from this initial 8-patient study are very encouraging. DSWI adds significant additional hospitalization costs to median sternotomy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, and also significantly increases mortality rates in these patients. We believe the addition of MEDIHONEY to these expensive procedures will provide clinicians a cost-effective way to improve outcomes. Additionally, the recent increase in CABG procedures, due to efficacy concerns over less invasive forms of surgery and drug-eluting stent procedures, makes this an attractive and growing target market."

Quilty went on to say, "Use of the V.A.C. in post-surgical applications -- including DSWI -- has been steadily increasing. Overall, this product generates over $1 billion in revenues globally, and is the first true blockbuster in the field of wound care. Gaining acceptance as an adjunct to this therapy will add significantly to the global usage of MEDIHONEY."

The study was published in the proceedings of the 5th Annual Joint Meeting of the German, Austrian, and Swiss Societies for Card
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