Ethicon’s Echelon stapler lowers anastomotic leaks after colorectal surgery

Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies’ Ethicon has reported results from the latest real-world study where its Echelon Circular Powered Stapler was linked to lowered anastomotic leak rates after colorectal surgery.

Integrating 3D Stapling Technology that evenly distributes compression with Gripping Surface Technology (GST), the device offers easy handling that lowers compressive forces on tissues.

For the real-world study, investigators analysed data from the Echelon Circular clinical trial and the Premier Healthcare database for similar adjusted indirect comparisons of patients who had a left-sided colorectal resection.

The trial comprised 165 patients, while data from 1,348 manual circular patients was obtained from the Premier Healthcare database.

The data showed that the Echelon Circular Powered Stapler was linked to a 74% decline in anastomotic leak rates.

Furthermore, the device offered a 44% decrease in 30-day inpatient hospital readmission rates after colorectal surgery versus manual circular staplers.

The study also demonstrated that the device could efficiently lower life-threatening and expensive surgical complications in real-world surgical practice by reinforcing data from previous clinical trials.

The Echelon Circular had a leak rate of 1.7% compared to 11.8% with manual staplers in the trials.

In addition, the device substantially lowered leaks at the staple line without compromising perfusion, the company noted.

Ethicon global health economics and market access senior director Sanjoy Roy said: “The results of this study well exceeded our expectations and deserve strong consideration by the surgical community.

“The evidence, along with the innovation in design and performance, supports the possibility of this device raising the standard of care in the hands of surgeons.”

An anastomosis is a vital part of colorectal surgery in which two ends of the colon are attached together using staples after a part of the organ is resected or removed owing to damage or disease.

Ethicon noted that a faulty or weak connection can cause an anastomotic leak, which can lead to longer time spent in hospital, higher healthcare expenses, and/or mortality.

In September 2019, Ethicon introduced a powered circular stapler called Echelon Circular for colorectal, gastric and thoracic surgery.

Source: https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/ethicon-echelon-stapler-leaks/