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Panacryl Sutures Infection & Additional Surgery

Panacryl sutures also referred to as stitches are used on a regular basis on patients after surgery to help patient’s recovery time. Panacryl sutures do not have to be removed from a patient’s body; they are absorbed into the skin. The FDA approved panacryl sutures in 1999. Ethicon Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson marketed Panacryl sutures. Ethion Inc. touted panacryl sutures as a device that was one of kind for its absorbability and exceptional strength. Panacryl sutures are braided synthetic absorbable sutures that were used in common soft tissue and orthopedic uses including tendon and ligament repairs and reattachment to bone.

Former Johnson & Johsnon Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joel Lippmann says he objected to the release of the Panacryl suture "whose use resulted in numerous adverse events," but the manufacturer released it anyway and continued to receive reports of "adverse events." In July 2002, panacryl sutures were taken off the market.

Adverse Events Associated with Panacryl Sutures
The following are common adverse complications experienced by some patients after post surgery:

• Elevated rate of infection.
• Sutures unable to absorbing into patients body.
• Suture Granulomas, a bump under the skin, as a result of scar tissue forming around the suture).
• Tunneling, tiny tunnels form around the incision area caused by the suture inhibiting healthy tissue growth).
• Spitting Sutures occurs when the suture is pushed out to the skin surface by the body rejecting the suture).

Patients who suffered these adverse events required additionally surgeries. Recovery time for patients that need additional surgeries fluctuated from just a few months to as long as one year.

Legal help for Patients Infected by Panacryl Sutures
If you or a loved one developed an infection or required an additional surgery due to Panacryl sutures, contact Parker & Waichman Alonso LLP for a free case evaluation by a qualified defective medical device attorney. Call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) or fill out the short form to the right.