News Releases

DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure System May Improve Outcomes and Lower Hospital Costs
Findings presented at International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research Meeting

SOMERVILLE, N.J., May 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethicon* announced the results of two economic analyses demonstrating that the DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure system, a product that combines a topical skin adhesive with a self-adhering patch, is associated with improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs for hospitals. Both studies are being presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research's 22nd Annual International Meeting this week.

The first study, Comparison of Economic and Clinical Outcomes between the DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure System and Skin Staples in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement in Real World Clinical Practice,1 found that the DERMABOND PRINEO System is associated with improved outcomes for patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) when compared to skin staples. The findings are based on a retrospective analysis of 1,942 TKA procedures using the Premier Perspective® Hospital Database. Specifically, the DERMABOND PRINEO System was associated with a statistically significant reduction in readmission rates at 30, 60 & 90 days, a reduction in length of hospital stay and a lower probability of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF). The analysis showed that the 30-day readmission rate for the DERMABOND PRINEO System group was 1.8%, compared to 4.4% for the skin staple group. The costs of 30 day readmissions for TKA have been estimated to be $12,839.2 The DERMABOND PRINEO System was also associated with a 12% reduction in length of hospital stay and a 31% reduction in discharge to a SNF or other non-home setting, which could lead to savings in the acute and post-acute setting.  

The second study, A U.S. Hospital Budget Impact Analysis of a Skin Closure System Compared with Standard of Care in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, estimates the 90-day cost impact of the DERMABOND PRINEO System compared to other wound closure methods for hip and knee arthroplasty from a U.S. provider perspective.3 The analysis showed that the use of the DERMABOND PRINEO System DERMABOND PRINEO System in hip and knee arthroplasty may achieve cost savings that could translate into an annual hospital budgetary savings ranging from $28,349 to $39,809 when assuming 500 arthroplasties.3 The predicted cost savings was driven by reductions in dressing materials and post-operative healthcare visits when the DERMABOND PRINEO System is utilized.

"Ethicon is committed to bringing to market innovative products that are designed to provide improved outcomes for patients and enable our customers to provide the best care for their patients," says Nefertiti Greene, Vice President, Global Wound Closure and Repair Platform Leader at Ethicon. "The DERMABOND PRINEO System has been shown by this research to be an excellent approach to wound closure."

Reducing the length of a patient's hospital stay can lead to reduced costs and may also lower the chances of contracting an infection.4 In addition, reducing readmissions can prevent hospitals from being penalized for readmission rates above the national average for TKA.5 The reductions in health care resource utilization demonstrated in these studies are important for hospital systems and health care professionals particularly those who are part of or are considering episode-based payments where both acute and post-acute costs are combined into one payment.   

Several benefits associated with the DERMABOND PRINEO System may explain the findings. The product provides significantly greater skin holding strength than skin staples and subcuticular suture,6+ and acts as a barrier to microbial penetration against organisms commonly associated with surgical site infection.7 The DERMABOND PRINEO System requires no postsurgical dressings which may mean easier self-care and greater self-confidence for patients.7 Also, if directed by their healthcare professional, patients can shower immediately after surgery7 which could lead to a higher level of patient satisfaction.

About Ethicon

From creating the first sutures to revolutionizing surgery with minimally invasive procedures, Ethicon, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, has made significant contributions to surgery for more than 60 years. Our continuing dedication to Shape the Future of Surgery is built on our commitment to help address the world's most pressing health care issues, and improve and save more lives. Through Ethicon's surgical technologies and solutions including sutures, staplers, energy devices, trocars and hemostats and our commitment to treating serious medical conditions like obesity and cancer worldwide, we deliver innovation to make a life-changing impact. Learn more at www.ethicon.com, and follow us on Twitter @Ethicon.

*Ethicon represents the products and services of Ethicon, Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC and certain of their affiliates Ethicon, Inc. is the legal manufacturer of the DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure system. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

+In an ex vivo study, more load in N was required to create a 3-mm gap between skin edges approximated with DERMABOND PRINEO System (22 cm) than with subcuticular 4-0 MONOCRYL® (poliglecaprone 25) Suture or PROXIMATE® Ethicon Endo-Surgery skin staples (P<.001).

073076-170517

1 Johnston S, Sutton N. Comparison of Economic and Clinical Outcomes between the Dermabond® Prineo® Skin Closure System and Skin Staples in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement in Real World Clinical Practice. Poster Presented at: ISPOR 22nd Annual International Meeting; May 20-24, 2017; Boston, MA.
2 HCUP Statistical Briefs website. Available at: https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sbtopic.jsp. Accessed May 17, 2017
3 Sadik, K, Flener J, Gargiulo J, Graves M, Nunley, R Post, Z, Wurzelbacher, Sutton, N, Hogan, Hollman, S, Ferko, N.  A U.S. Hospital Budget Impact Analysis of a Skin Closure System Compared with Standard of Care in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.  Poster Presented at: ISPOR 22nd Annual International Meeting; May 20-24, 2017; Boston, MA.
4 Hassan M, Tuckman HP, Patrick RH, Kountz DS, Kohn JL. Hospital length of stay and probability of acquiring infection.  International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing. 2010;4(4):324-338.
5 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-fee-for-service-payment/acuteinpatientpps/readmissions-reduction-program.html. Accessed May 17, 2017.
6 Data on file, Ethicon, Inc.: Kumar A. AST-2012- 0290. Completion Report: Study to compare the tissue holding strength of PRINEO Skin Closure System with conventional wound closure techniques. 2012.
7 Data on file. Ethicon, Inc. Dermabond Prineo System Master Claims Matrix.

SOURCE Ethicon

For further information: Media contact: Ashley Carter, Office: 908-218-2360, acarte24@its.jnj.com