WARSAW, Ind., Sep 17, 2002 -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) today announced that it expects a surgical technique utilizing its innovative Minimally Invasive Solutions(TM) (MIS) Two-Incision Hip Replacement Procedure to be the focus of a September 18 story on ABC News World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. The technique has the potential to significantly speed a patient's recovery following total hip replacement surgery.
Earlier this month, a production crew from ABC recorded an MIS Two- Incision surgery performed by Dr. Richard Berger of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. The patient involved was discharged before 5pm the day of the surgery and experienced no complications during or following the surgery. Hip replacement patients typically experience hospital stays of three to four days following surgery.
"Patients are definitely taking note of results like those being obtained by Dr. Berger and others who are working with us in this development process," said Zimmer Chairman, President and CEO Ray Elliott. "Our goal with this new surgical approach has been to shorten the patient's hospital stay, decrease the pain involved in rehabilitation, and lower the overall time for patients to return to normal activities of life. With well over 200 cases performed to date, we believe that goal is being realized. Ultimately, we are targeting a victory for patients, physicians, payors and providers."
Zimmer recently released the results of a series of Dr. Berger's first 50 cases performed after the procedure was standardized. In those 50 cases, there were no intraoperative complications, 75% of the 50 patients chose to go home the day of surgery, 25% of the patients went home the day after surgery, and no patient stayed in the hospital more than 23 hours. Post-operatively there have been no complications, no readmissions, and no dislocations. Zimmer has previously announced that the MIS Two-Incision Technique will be generally available in early 2003.
"We now have a group of about 20 surgeons, most of them in the U.S., that either have performed the surgery or have been trained and plan to do so in the very near future," said Elliott. "Because this is a different surgical approach, surgeon training is critical." The U.S. surgeons are listed on a Zimmer-supported consumer website, www.pacewithlife.com .
Zimmer recently announced that it will break ground this fall on the 15,000 square foot, Zimmer MIS Institute to provide comprehensive surgeon skills training in the area of minimally invasive joint replacement. The company also will engage a number of world-renowned academic institutions to operate approved satellite training locations around the world. Elliott indicated that Zimmer expects to have trained approximately 500 surgeons in the MIS Two-Incision technique at the Institute by the end of 2003.
The company said it expects the story to air on September 18, but given that the content of news programs is dictated by world events, it is possible the story could be delayed.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and fracture management products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Fracture management 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 2001, Zimmer recorded worldwide revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,500 employees worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com and at www.pacewithlife.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.