REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dextera Surgical Inc. (Nasdaq:DXTR), manufacturer of the smallest-profile and most maneuverable articulating surgical stapling platform on the market for minimally invasive surgery, today announced the presentation of research featuring the company’s surgical stapling technology for video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in lung surgery. Joel Dunning, M.D., of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, UK, presented the results of the study at the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS).

The study, titled Microlobectomy, a Novel Form of VATS Lobectomy, focused on the early experience of the microlobectomy technique. Data included 72 patients who received microlobectomy from leading thoracic surgeons at six hospitals around the world including Shanda Blackmon (Mayo Clinic), Bill Walker (Royal Infirmary Edinburgh), Rene Petersen and Henrik Hansen (Rigshospitalet Copenhagen), and others, to investigate the potential of this novel technique to reduce the pain and invasiveness experienced by patients.

Microlobectomy is similar to current VATS techniques, but uses only 5mm incisions between the ribs instead of 12mm incisions, and a small incision below the ribs. A majority of the procedures in the study were enabled by the MicroCutter 5/80, which is roughly the width of a pencil and offers up to 80 degrees of articulation – making it easier for surgeons to perform this innovative technique. 

The early results of this ongoing international evaluation of microlobectomy have demonstrated significant benefits for patients, with 22 percent going home after one day, and more than 40 percent going home on day two, and a short learning curve for surgeons.

“Microlobectomy offers important benefits for patients. Because the smaller incisions cause less trauma, especially to the sensitive nerves in the ribcage, patients experience less pain – which can lead to accelerated recovery times and shorter hospital stays,” said Dr. Dunning. “As a key breakthrough that facilitates this procedure, the MicroCutter represents a significant innovation for thoracic surgery.”

“We are excited that the MicroCutter is making new procedural approaches to video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) possible, translating into measurable benefits for patients, as demonstrated in the study’s findings,” said Julian Nikolchev, president and CEO of Dextera.

MicroCutter Indication Information
The MicroCutter 5/80 Stapler is manufactured and cleared for use in the United States for transection and resection in multiple open or minimally invasive urologic, thoracic and pediatric surgical procedures, as well as application for transection, resection and/or creation of anastomoses in the small and large intestine, and the transection of the appendix. The MicroCutter 30 White Reload has application in vascular tissue.

About Dextera Surgical
Dextera Surgical (Nasdaq:DXTR) designs and manufactures proprietary stapling devices for minimally invasive surgical procedures. In the U.S., surgical staplers are routinely used in more than one million minimally invasive laparoscopic, video-assisted or robotic-assisted surgical procedures annually.

The company’s signature proprietary technology, the MicroCutter 5/80 Stapler, is the world’s first and only five-millimeter surgical stapler that articulates to 80 degrees in each direction. As the smallest-profile articulating stapler available today, the MicroCutter 5/80 Stapler may reduce the amount of dissection and tissue handling required to position the stapler in confined spaces, enabling access to difficult-to-reach anatomy.  The cartridge-based device’s small size and wide articulation range are designed to enhance the surgeon’s access and visualization at the surgical site and to mitigate limitations on the advancement of minimally invasive surgical approaches created by larger stapling devices.

Dextera Surgical also markets the only automated anastomosis devices for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on the market today: the C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems and PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis System. These products, sold by Dextera Surgical under the Cardica brand name, have demonstrated long-term reliable clinical performance for more than a decade.

Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release regarding Dextera Surgical’s beliefs as to the expected benefits to be achieved from the use of its MicroCutter 5/80 are “forward-looking statements.” There are a number of important factors that could cause Dextera Surgical’s results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including: that Dextera Surgical may not be successful in its efforts to make the improvements necessary to its enhanced MicroCutter device due to unanticipated technical or other difficulties; risks inherent in obtaining regulatory approvals; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Dextera Surgical’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, under the caption “Risk Factors.” Dextera Surgical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein. You are encouraged to read Dextera Surgical’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov

CONTACT: Contact:

Investors:
Bob Newell
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(650) 331-7133
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Nicole Osmer
Tel. 650.454.0504
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