Cook Medical launches European otolaryngology/head and neck surgery division
Equipment helps reduce the need for open surgery
Cook Medical will introduce European head and neck surgeons and otolaryngologists to its line of minimally-invasive devices at the second meeting of the European Academy of OtoRhinoLaryngology and Head Neck/Surgery .
We are committed to serving European otolaryngologists and surgeons and their patients by helping to reduce the need for open surgery
Cook’s otolaryngology/head and neck surgery (OHNS) division will focus initially on six ear, nose and throat (ENT) practice areas. These areas are obstructive salivary gland disease, soft tissue repair, chronic rhinosinusitis, vocal cord paralysis, obstructive sleep apnoea and interventional airway and oesophageal procedures.
Thomas Cherry, global leader of Cook Medical’s OHNS division, said: “There are more than 25,000 ENT specialists in Europe. Our goal is to help show them the value of minimally-invasive procedures and train them on how Cook’s devices can help patients. We are committed to serving European otolaryngologists and surgeons and their patients by helping to reduce the need for open surgery.”
Cook’s salivary duct access products include minimally-invasive sialendoscopy tools such as a soft-tip wire guide, Salivary Access Dilator Set, the Kolenda Salivary Access Introducer Set, and the NGage Salivary Stone Extractor and NCircle Salivary Stone Extractor.
Conference attendees will also see Cook’s Hercules 3 Stage Esophageal Balloon, designed to treat abnormal narrowing of the digestive tract. Additionally, Cook OHNS will launch the Chiba EchoTip Biopsy Needle, a high-visibility needle that can be seen under ultrasound and is intended for use during thyroid gland biopsy.
Drawing on Cook’s long history of developing tissue-based acellular grafts, Cook OHNS will also unveil the Biodesign Dural Graft. This scaffold is intended to reduce the risk of cerebral spinal fluid leaks following cranial procedures. Biodesign grafts help the body to remodel native tissues using the patient’s own cells. The same technology is used in the Biodesign ENT Surgical Reinforcement Graft, which is intended for implantation to reinforce soft tissue.
One EU surgeon has already used Cook’s Biodesign ENT Surgical Reinforcement Graft in his tympanoplasty procedures to repair punctured eardrums. Dr Riccardo D'Eredità, associate director in the department of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery at the Vicenza Civil Hospital in Italy, will present an e-poster at the conference on his use of the graft, which is indicated for this use in the European Union.
My initial experiences with Cook’s Biodesign ENT surgical reinforcement graft have been positive and indicate that it could eliminate the need to harvest autologous tissue to repair these defects
He said: “Closing tympanic punctures can be difficult to treat. My initial experiences with Cook’s Biodesign ENT surgical reinforcement graft have been positive and indicate that it could eliminate the need to harvest autologous tissue to repair these defects.”
Canadian head and neck surgeon, Dr Jack Kolenda, will also present on percutaneous sialendoscopy using the new salivary duct access kit he developed with Cook. The new minimally-invasive procedure allows physicians to treat blockages and remove stones from the salivary glands without performing open surgery, which carries a risk of facial paralysis.
“This expansion shows our commitment to European ENT patients facing difficult treatment choices,” added Pete Yonkman, executive vice president of strategic business units at Cook Medical. “Cook OHNS is bringing critical new products to market and training doctors in the procedures they’re used for. We hope to help more patients and touch more clinicians with this technology.”
