Program highlights innovative new surgical technique that brings benefits of minimally invasive surgery to total knee replacement
WARSAW, Ind., Apr 16, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) on April 24, 2003, will broadcast over the Internet a live minimally invasive knee replacement surgery with interactive commentary from faculty surgeons. The program is part of an ongoing Zimmer effort to provide convenient, innovative educational opportunities to orthopaedic surgeons worldwide.
"Zimmer is committed to help orthopaedic surgeons enhance their skills so that they can have confidence in providing the best orthopaedic care possible for their patients," said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Zimmer is placing special emphasis on education programs focused on Minimally Invasive Solutions(TM) (MIS(TM)) Procedures and Technologies. We believe these procedures offer many potential benefits for patients, and we are dedicated to helping surgeons worldwide bring these benefits to their patients."
The broadcast will feature Zimmer's MIS Mini-Incision Total Knee Arthroplasty procedure. Giles R. Scuderi, M.D., Director, Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New York City, and Chief, Adult Knee Reconstruction, Beth Israel Medical Center, will perform the surgery at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Moderating the program will be Michael A. Kelly, M.D., Director, Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, and Chief, Section of Sports Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center; and Alfred J. Tria, Jr., M.D., Clinical Professor, Division of Orthopaedics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, N.J.
The surgery will use Zimmer NexGen(R) Complete Knee Solution LPS-Flex components. The surgical technique requires an incision of only 12 to 14 cm, compared with 20 to 30 cm used in a standard knee replacement arthroplasty. Among the potential patient benefits of this minimally invasive technique are shorter hospital stays, lower blood loss, faster rehabilitation, and a more cosmetically appealing surgical scar.
Surgeons can view the procedure wherever they have high speed Internet access capability.
Zimmer has developed a global surgeon education infrastructure focused on education and training in its MIS procedures and technologies. The centerpiece of this infrastructure, the new Zimmer Institute facility located in Warsaw, opened on March 31. All three surgeons participating in the April Webcast are participants in a global surgeon education panel actively assisting Zimmer in the design and implementation of surgeon MIS knee education programs.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and trauma products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Trauma products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body's natural healing process. Zimmer also manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic and general surgery. For the year 2002, Zimmer recorded worldwide revenues of approximately $1.4 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,600 employees worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward- looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, price and product competition, rapid technological development, demographic changes, dependence on new product development, the mix of our products and services, customer demand for our products and services, our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies, control of costs and expenses, our ability to form and implement alliances, international growth, U.S. and foreign government regulation, reimbursement levels from third-party payors, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by Zimmer with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zimmer disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
Media, Brad Bishop, +1-574-372-4291, or
[email protected], or Investors, Sam Leno, +1-574-372-4790, or
[email protected], both of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
http://www.zimmer.com
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