DrainTow®
Clinical Tests & Economic Benefits

Certification

The Patented DrainTow® Closed Suction Wound Drain System is designed in compliance with FDA Design Control.  It is certified for clinical use by FDA 510K Pre-Market Clearance.  In Vitro tests that simulate clinical performance have been confirmed in clinical use by our scientific advisors and consultants prior to market release.

Benefits

The DrainTow® provides clinical benefits in surgical efficiency, reduction of complications, and reduction of litigation risk.

• Surgical Efficiency
  • Laparoscopic or Open surgery
  • Ergonomics encourages routine use
  • CPT code reference
• Management of Biliary and Bowel Injuries
  • Most (>75%) are not recognized at surgery
  • Cost of bile leak can exceed $100,000 per incident
  • Prevention Savings Benefit = $358 or more per use
• Prevention of litigation
  • Incidence of biliary leaks and injuries = 0.2-4.4%
  • Incidence of intestinal leaks all sources up to 5%
  • Awards can exceed $2,000,000
  • Average award $708,000
  • Value of prevention is priceless

Post-Operative Leaks

Many studies have observed the increase in biliary and bowel injuries following the introduction of laparoscopic surgery.  Most injuries (>75%) are not recognized at the time of surgery.  A closed suction drain provides a means to detect leakage that may reduce the impact of complications.

The DrainTow® simplifies drain placement and encourages routine drainage with the potential to improve outcomes should a leak occur.

Increased Incidence of Bile and Bowel Leaks:

• Most (>75%) are not recognized at surgery
• Increased risk of Morbidity and Mortality from Delay
• Cost of bile leak can exceed $100,000 per incident
• Prevention Savings Benefit = $358 or more per use

Incidence of Bile Leak and Bile Duct Injury Open vs Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Summary data compiles from multple sources Domestic and International. Data is cross referenced with reports from Academic Departments in Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Radiology. Studies from Departments of Gastroenterology and Radiology tend to report higher observed rates of Biliary Leaks and Duct Injury.

The goal of the DrainTow® is to simplify and encourage drain placement in laparoscopic surgery to enable early detection and management of complications leading to better outcomes and a better quality of life for all involved.

Detection and Resolution of Post-Operative Leaks

Because most injuries (>75%) are not recognized at the time of laparoscopic surgery, a closed suction drain provides a means to detect leakage that may reduce the impact of complications.

The DrainTow® simplifies drain placement and encourages routine drainage with the potential to improve outcomes should a leak occur.

Management of Biliary and Bowel Injuries:

• Prospectively observed bile leaks exceed 4%
• Most (>75%) are not recognized at surgery
• Cost of bile leak can exceed $100,000 per incident
• Presence of a drain
  • Detects leaks
  • Resolves leaks
  • Prepares for plan of action
• Prevention Savings Benefit = $358 or more per use

Outcome of Bile Leaks Surgical Drain In Place (4.4% Total Observed)

Etiology of Post Operative Biliary Leak: Prospective Study Reported American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress Poster Exhibit 2000 SE 147 Tyagi N, Sibergleit A, etl al., Department of Surgery, Waynse State University, Detroit, MI

The goal of the DrainTow® is to simplify and encourage drain placement in laparoscopic surgery to enable early detection and management of complications leading to better outcomes and a better quality of life for all involved.

Prevention of the Consequences of Post-Operative Leaks

Because most injuries (>75%) are not recognized at the time of laparoscopic surgery, a closed suction drain provides a means to detect leakage that may reduce the impact of the complications.  If the impact of complications is reduced, so are the risks of litigation.

The DrainTow® simplifies drain placement and encourages routine drainage with the potential to improve outcomes should a leak occur.

Prevention of Litigation:

• Incidence of biliary leaks and injuries = 0.2-4.4%
• Incidence of intestinal leaks all sources up to 5%
• Awards can exceed $2,000,000
• Average award $708,000
• Value of prevention is priceless

Source of Malpractice Litigation Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Medicolegal Perspectives on Injuries Associated with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Kern, KA, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT Reported in Archives of Surgery 1997 and Surgical Clinics of North America 1994

The goal of the DrainTow® is to simplify and encourage drain placement in laparoscopic surgery to enable early detection and management of complications leading to better outcomes and a better quality of life for all involved.

« return to main DrainTow® page