The first woman in the United States to undergo an ABBI* breast biopsy said "everything went beautifully" as she left Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla., less than two hours after surgery.

Marianne Schenkel, a Punta Gorda, Fla. resident, chose the ABBI* procedure after discussing it with her doctors, general surgeons Philip D'Angelo, M.D., and Dominick Galliano, M.D. Immediately following Mrs. Shenkel's procedure, Dr. D'Angelo said, "Everything went extremely well. The patient had no discomfort and she will recover much more quickly than with an open excisional biopsy."

Dr. D'Angelo summed up the benefits of ABBI* procedure this way: "The procedure can be performed in one step under local anesthesia. This means patients avoid general anesthesia, a trip to the operating room and several hours of recovery."

Stereotactic technology (x-rays) incorporated into the ABBI* system allows the surgeon to locate the lesion to within 1 mm of accuracy and insert a marking needle to "tag" the precise position of the specimen. The surgeon then gently inserts the narrow, tube-like ABBI* instrument into the breast to remove a tissue sample. The small opening is closed with a few stitches and a bandage.

After hearing that the preliminary pathology findings of her biopsy were benign, Mrs. Schenkel said she was going home to "clean out closets" that afternoon and then go to dinner with her son to celebrate. She told reporters gathered at the hospital that she was "glad to be number one," and added, "I can recommend this procedure to anyone who needs something like this."

The first U.S. ABBI* procedure, performed on April 9, was quickly followed by successful procedures at Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY on April 12 and Rose Medical Center, Denver, CO on April 17. Developed by United States Surgical Corporation, the ABBI* device recently received clearance for marketing in the United States from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prior to FDA clearance, the ABBI* system had been used in Canada with excellent results.

 

NEW VEIN HARVESTING DEVICE REDUCES PAIN, COSTS LESS THAN OTHER TECHNIQUES

A new device that can significantly reduce the amount of pain, scarring and recovery time associated with coronary artery bypass surgery is now available worldwide from United States Surgical Corporation (USSC).

Nearly 400,000 coronary artery bypass operations are performed in the United States each year. Most require the surgeon to remove all or part of large, superficial veins in one or both legs -- known as the saphenous veins -- to bypass blocked arteries in the heart. The MINI HARVEST* system allows the surgeon to remove these veins through four 1.5-inch incisions rather than through one long incision running from the groin to the ankle.

The MINI HARVEST* system includes a large and small retractor for lifting skin and other tissue away from the operative site, creating a tent-like workspace. To provide the clinician with light, each retractor contains a fiber optic element that can be connected to virtually any standard cardiovascular light source. The retractors are held in place by interchangeable, self-retaining bases, eliminating the need for a second clinician or nurse.

USSC's PREMIUM SURGICLIP* applier and SURGITIE* SURGIDAC* ligating loop are used in conjunction with the MINI HARVEST* system to seal vessels leading to the saphenous veins, so the veins can be detached and removed.

Clinicians who have used the MINI HARVEST* system say that most patients have very little discomfort one week after surgery and are pleased that they do no not have a long scar. Because patients can recover more quickly from the small, less painful leg incisions, the MINI HARVEST* system should prove to be more cost-effective than open surgery. In addition, with a list price of $120, USSC's system is significantly less expensive than endoscopic vein harvesting, which requires at least one assistant, video equipment that is not generally used in cardiovascular operating rooms and special instruments costing $400 to $500.

 

SURVEY REVEALS HEARTBURN SUFFERERS WOULD CONSIDER MIS SURGERY FOR RELIEF

A survey of nearly 850 chronic heartburn sufferers by United States Surgical Corporation found that 34% of respondents experienced heartburn daily -- 10% for more than 25 years -- and 45% would consider surgery for their heartburn if there was "minimal pain, minimal disability, minimal recovery time and a real cure."

According to Garth Ballantyne, M.D., director of The Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, a surgical technique called laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication may offer many heartburn sufferers exactly what they are looking for. The procedure involves constructing a new "valve" between the esophagus and the stomach by wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower point of the esophagus -- much the way a bun fits around a hot dog. Patients experience only a 2- to 3-day hospital stay, 5 tiny marks, a 5- to 7-day recovery period and minimal recuperative pain.

Heartburn Survey Results

Respondents said chronic heartburn affects the following activities:

  • Sleep - 65%
  •  Sex - 34%
  •  Work - 50%
  • Exercise - 51%
  •  Dining out - 58%
  •  Travel - 44%
  • Sports/Hobbies - 46%
  •  Household chores - 52%
 

 (Source: United States Surgical Corporation)

 

For an information kit or a video news package on the ABBI* procedure or a summary of the heartburn survey results, please , contact Steve Rose, editor, at 203-845-1732 or E-mail to [email protected].

Items marked by an * and The Laparoscopy Report are trademarks of USSC.




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