Ethicon, a company that has been at the forefront of advancing metabolic and bariatric surgery for the past two decades, recently showcased their product portfolio and therapeutic solutions, and dedication to finding solutions to obesity and its comorbidities during the 20th World Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO 2015).

The World Health Organization views obesity as one of today’s most apparent, yet most ignored, public health concerns, with almost 30% of the world’s population being either overweight or obese. This condition, together with secondary health problems costs the global economy about $2 trillion every year. While many people still see obesity as the result of an individual’s poor lifestyle choices, it is in fact a medical condition to which bariatric surgery has been the treatment of choice in up to 80% of patients.

The company is committed to driving global support and awareness on obesity as a chronic disease. Last week, during the IFSO, the company presented the latest updates on innovation/enabling technology, fresh and ongoing clinical and economic findings, and the importance of expanding patient access to surgery across the globe.

The following are Ethicon’s IFSO 2015 highlights:

• Enabling Technology: Ethicon provides best-in-class product solutions for the most demanding bariatric procedures, to help achieve the best surgical outcomes for patients. At IFSO, surgeons will have the opportunity to experience Ethicon’s signature products that are designed for the toughest surgical jobs in bariatric surgery. Product demonstrations include:
  • ECHELON FLEX™ GST System:  Uniquely designed with better grip to provide the least tissue slippage of any Endocutter for unsurpassed stapling performance in bariatric surgery.
  • HARMONIC ACE®+7 Shears with Advanced Hemostasis: Provides the multi-functionality needed to improve procedural efficiency and minimize instrument exchanges when mobilizing the stomach.  Through Adaptive Tissue Technology, Advanced Hemostasis Mode modulates the energy based on the tissue properties to provide reliable and secure hemostasis on short gastric vessels.
  • STRATAFIX™ Knotless Tissue Control Devices: Bariatric patients present unique challenges due to their thicker and dense tissue, comorbidities such as diabetes and other patient factors. As a result surgeons often choose to oversew the staple line to gain additional security.  STRATAFIXTM Knotless Tissue Control Devices provide more strength and security compared to interrupted suturing without knot related complications.
• Advanced scientific research, clinical studies, and economic evidence: As part of its commitment to addressing obesity and metabolic disease, Ethicon is making long-term investments in scientific research to demonstrate the benefits of bariatric surgery through clinical and economic evidence. The following initiatives will be highlighted at IFSO:
  • Ethicon’s Metabolic Applied Research Strategy (MARS): Ethicon is offering a mini-MARS course, led by the esteemed Lee Kaplan, MD, PhD, Director, Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, designed to help participants gain a better understanding of the latest science and its impact on bariatric surgery. This half day session explores the latest research and its potential to redefine the management of obesity.  In addition to onsite education, Ethicon also offers formal courses at global surgical training institutes around the world designed to enable superior patient outcomes.
  • “Time to Act on Obesity” commitment: Ethicon is funding research to better understand which patients can benefit most from bariatric surgery for the treatment of diseases including obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, and from which specific bariatric procedures. Ultimately, this data may help support expanded access to bariatric and metabolic surgery for patients who qualify around the world. As part of this commitment, surgeons and healthcare professionals are invited to meet with Ethicon’s clinical and health economics teams to learn about current research studies funded by Ethicon and submit their own ideas for future studies.
• Global initiatives to drive global access to obesity and metabolic care: Ethicon is leading the way in increasing access to effective treatment by developing solutions to breakdown significant barriers to accessing care globally, addressing:  waiting times, complex patient pathways, inadequate funding and reimbursement, limited understanding of cost-efficacy, and infrastructure and training support.

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Since Ethicon launched “Time to Act on Obesity” outreach efforts in Europe, the company has formed many partnerships with experts with a goal to address the growing negative social and economic impact of obesity with policy-makers and providers. The company hopes to facilitate the creation and adoption of government policies that go beyond preventive measures, and increase patient access to metabolic interventions.

“Ethicon continues to shape the future of surgery and lead the way in addressing the burden of obesity and other metabolic diseases for patients and healthcare systems worldwide,” said Michael del Prado, Company Group Chairman, Ethicon. “Through research, best-in-class technology, and signature programs and initiatives, Ethicon is committed to reversing the trajectory of obesity to save and improve more lives.”