Berlin, April 22, 2013 : Cohera Medical, Inc®. (www.coheramedical.com), an American developer of surgical adhesives and sealants, today announced the completion of a series of breast cancer surgeries with TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive without drain placement. The experience from cases conducted in Berlin and Munich suggests that women who undergo certain types of breast cancer surgery (so called ablatio or mastectomy) may successfully be treated without using drains. In the course of the Charité-Mayo-Conference that took place in Berlin last week, Prof. Dr. Jens-Uwe Blohmer (Sankt Gertrauden-Krankenhaus) discussed the potential of TissuGlu with his colleagues. „Operators have long recognized the limitations and drawbacks of using closed suction drains in mastectomy procedures” says Prof. Blohmer. German plastic surgeons have already demonstrated the use of TissuGlu in other reconstructive methods. Now the surgical adhesive is also being used in breast surgery.
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women in Germany. Each year there are about 72,000 new cases (Robert Koch Institut, 2012). Surgery is almost always necessary. In up to 80 percent of the cases, the affected breast can be largely preserved. If this is not possible due to the severity of the disease, the entire breast has to be removed and post-surgical drains are usually placed at the surgical site. “Such an intervention is – for those affected – a major physical and psychological stress,” says Blohmer. The gynecologist is certain: “To provide more relief to patients at this stage would be an important step.” So far, it is common to place at least one drain after removal of the breast, which is used to manage wound fluid. “Drains are very uncomfortable for the patient and require a longer hospital stay,” says Dr. Stefan Paepke (Klinikum rechts der Isar München), who – like Blohmer – has had experience with TissuGlu.
The surgical adhesive can be used in the closing of the surgical wound. It supports the natural healing process by holding the tissue planes together, potentially reducing seroma formation – an important prerequisite for the start of other therapies that are following a breast cancer surgery. “TissuGlu has the potential to transform the healing process following a mastectomy procedure.” said Patrick Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohera Medical. Blohmer and Paepke have already used the no drain technique in a series of mastectomy cases and are encouraged by the outcomes. “The results are very promising,” said Paepke. The experts are planning a study to evaluate the possibility of treating patients without using drains after a major breast cancer surgery.
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