THE FUTURE OF TREATMENT FOR DEEP ENDOMETRIOSIS
The Sonicision™ Cordless Ultrasonic Dissector offers fresh hope to women with the disease
SÃO PAULO, Brazil - APRIL 30 - It is estimated that over 15% of women1 of childbearing age,
15-45 years, suffer from endometriosis, representing about 15 million Brazilian women. Of this
total, approximately 40% suffer from deep endometriosis2, when surgical intervention is
required for treatment. The good news is that a recent technology used in minimally invasive
surgeries for the treatment of the disease is now available in Brazil. The Sonicision™ device is
the industry’s first cordless ultrasonic dissection device, and it will be launched during the 12th
World Congress on Endometriosis, which takes place from April 30 to May 3 at the World
Trade Center in São Paulo.
The major advantage of the new technology is that it helps surgeons to excise the
compromised tissues without needing to suture, by cutting away the diseased tissue and
cauterizing the cut with the heat of ultrasound, in a minimally invasive manner, via
laparoscopy (video surgery).
"Superficial endometriosis presents itself in small vessels, which can be treated with
hormones. When it isn’t treated, or when the endometriosis is too aggressive, it forms scar
tissue more than 5 mm thick around these vessels. Deep endometriosis needs surgical
intervention," explains Prof. Dr. Paul Ayroza, specialist in deep endometriosis. "In that case,
you need to carefully excise the diseased tissue – the fibrosis that grew around the vessel – in
order to preserve the integrity of the organ, i.e. cut quickly and control the heat of the surgical
unit so as not to injure the organ or the tissue to which it is attached."
About Endometriosis
This is an inflammatory process in which the endometrial cells – the inner lining of the uterus
wall where the egg is implanted after fertilization – migrate in the opposite direction
(retrograde menstruation), instead of being expelled. A woman who suffers from this illness
has endometrial implants outside the uterus, caused by the menstrual flow backing up into the
Fallopian tubes and pelvic or abdominal cavity, where they resume multiplying and bleeding.
Among the main symptoms are severe menstrual cramps, pain during sex, difficulty in
becoming pregnant, and urinary and intestinal bleeding. If not treated properly, endometriosis
can cause infertility, chronic pain, and reach neighboring organs, such as the bladder,
intestines, and ovaries.
About the Sonicision™ Cordless Ultrasonic Device
The Sonicision™ cordless ultrasonic dissection device is an unparalleled advancement in
ultrasonic energy. The device delivers comparable clinical effectiveness associated with leading
ultrasonic technologies and unique benefits from the industry’s first cordless design. The
Sonicision™ device allows improved freedom of movement in the operating room through the
innovation of cordless technology. The streamlined design features a quick and simple set up
that increases O.R. efficiency. The Sonicision™ device also utilizes a unique dual-mode energy
activation control for seamless transition between two power modes within a single button.
Sonicision is registered with Anvisa under #10349000392
This design allows a surgeon’s eyes to remain in the surgical field rather than on the
instrument for improved procedural focus.
Winner of a number of awards (Medical Design Excellence Awards 2013, Excellence in Surgical
Products in 2013, The Red Dot [Design] Award and Excellence in Innovation 2013), the
Sonicision™ device is clinically tested3 and proven to be one of the fastest and most effective
dissectors on the market, besides producing a low surgical plume, compared to the
competition4, causing very little visual obstruction during the procedure, which is crucial in
laparoscopic surgeries. Besides the gynecological surgery of deep endometriosis, the
Sonicision™ device is also indicated for Urological and Gastroenterological surgeries (including
Bariatric and Colorectal), and others.
About Covidien
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical
solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and
excellence. Covidien develops, manufactures and sells a diverse range of industry-leading
medical device and supply products. With 2013 revenue of $10.2 billion, Covidien has more
than 38,000 employees worldwide in more than 70 countries, and its products are sold in over
150 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com.br to learn more about our business.
Information to the Press
Ketchum Strategy
Camile Freitas - camile.freitas@ketchum.com.br
Phone: (11) 5090-8900 ext 8767
Patricia Torres - patrícia.torres@ketchum.com.br
Phone: (11) 5090-8958
1
Arruda, M. S., et al. (2003). "Time elapsed from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of
endometriosis in a cohort study of Brazilian women." Hum Reprod 18(4): 756-759.
2
Koninckx, P. R., et al. (2012). "Deep endometriosis: definition, diagnosis, and treatment."
Fertil Steril 98(3): 564-571.
3
Tsirline et al, Evaluation of an Innovative, Cordless, Ultrassonic Dissector, 2012
4
Kim et al, Comparison of surgical plume among laparoscopic ultrasonic dissectors using real time quantitative digital technology, 2012
Sonicision is registered with Anvisa under #10349000392