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Watch real stories about real SSI events
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Hear from patients and experts

Real Patient Stories
SSIs can be life-changing. Patients who have experienced them inspire us to create innovative ways to address SSI risk, like Plus Antibacterial Sutures.

Doctors’ Perspectives
Healthcare professionals are always mindful about the risk of SSIs. Hear about their experiences and what they are doing to protect their patients.

Share your SSI story
Patients’ experiences are an inspiration to us at Ethicon, as we strive to reduce the risk factors associated with SSIs. We hope you’ll consider sharing your story and continue to inspire others with your voice.

Plus Antibacterial Sutures and SSI
Sutures, like all implants, can increase the risk of infection. Plus Antibacterial Sutures are effective against the most common pathogens associated with SSIs in an in vitro study.a,b

Barbed sutures with Plus technology
STRATAFIX™ Plus Knotless Tissue Control Devices are proven in vivo to kill bacteria on the suture known to be associated with SSIs.

Skin closure protection
DERMABOND™ PRINEO™ Skin Closure System provides a flexible microbial barrier that is proven 99% effective against organisms commonly responsible for SSIs.d,e
SSIs can have catastrophic consequences

SSIs are common and costly
In the US, there are 780,000+ cases per year, costing an additional $3.5-$10 billion. SSIs occur in 2%-5% of patients undergoing surgery—approximately 160,000 to 300,000 each year in the US.3-5

SSIs are common and costly
Patients with SSIs are 5 times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital and 2 times more likely to die.3

Bacterial colonization of the suture is a known SSI risk factor
Sutures–like all implanted materials–can be a nidus for SSI because they reduce the amount of bacteria needed to cause infection. Plus Sutures are the only intervention that can address bacterial colonization of the suture. If you’re not using antibacterial sutures, you’re not addressing this risk factor.6,7

SSI prevention is key in cutting costs
Economic analysis estimated that payers would avoid $1036-$1170 in superficial and deep-incisional SSI-related costs per patient over 12 months if triclosan-coated sutures were used in colorectal surgery vs traditional closure.8,9,b,c
Featured Wound Closure Products

Plus Antibacterial Sutures
Plus Sutures are the only triclosan-coated sutures commercially available worldwide—and are backed by a large body of evidence and endorsed by a growing number of health authorities around the world. Meta-analysis showed a 28% reduction in SSI risk with the use of triclosan-coated sutures.7,8,10-21,d,e

STRATAFIX™ Knotless Tissue Control Devices
STRATAFIX™ is the only commercially available barbed suture with triclosan. And like Plus Suture, it is backed by a large body of evidence and health authority endorsements. Meta-analysis showed a 28% reduction in SSI risk with the use of triclosan-coated sutures.7-22,d-g

DERMABOND® PRINEO® Skin Closure System
DERMABOND™ PRINEO™ System creates a watertight seal, creating a barrier to water and bacteria entering the wound. The microbial barrier is proven 99% effective through 72 hours in vitro.h DERMABOND™ PRINEO™ System is demonstrated in vitro to kill 99.99% of bacteria (MRSA, MRSE, and E. coli) on direct contact.23-26,i

Ethicon Wound Closure Portfolio
Ethicon is the global leader in wound closure technology, each innovation designed to improve efficiency for surgeons and hospitals and outcomes for patients.