Press Releases

McGAW PARK, Ill., May 11, 2006 – To help surgeons and OR staff maintain a sterile field during bariatric surgeries, Cardinal Health announced today the introduction of its new, fully impervious Convertors® Bariatric Surgical Drape, designed for use in gastric bypass and gastric banding procedures.

 

According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, 175,000 weight-loss operations were performed in 2005. That number is up from 63,100 surgeries in 2002. The American Obesity Association reports that approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight; including 60 million who are obese, and 9 million who are severely obese.

 

Cardinal Health’s drape was designed in consultation with Dr. Robin Blackstone, a preeminent bariatric surgeon who directs the Scottsdale Bariatric Center in Arizona. The Scottsdale Bariatric Center was recently named as an American Society of Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Dr. Blackstone has performed more than 1,000 bariatric procedures.

 

“The Convertors team developed this drape from a surgeon’s point of view,” said Dr. Blackstone. “This new drape will save time in the O.R. and is uniquely designed to address the challenges associated with these procedures.”

 

Constructed of Tiburon® drape fabric, it is the only fully impervious bariatric drape on the market. It features a larger overall drape size to cover a patient without the need for added sheets and has longer, more ample armboard covers

 

 

sealed at the ends to ensure the patient’s entire arm and hand are covered during the procedure.  The drape has two fabric troughs that provide space to tuck cords and tubing away from the incision site.

 

“With the increase in bariatric procedures, we wanted to engineer a drape that meets the particular needs of these patients and procedures,” said Carrie Block, Market Manager, Cardinal Health. “We focused our efforts on the two most commonly-performed bariatric procedures and are very pleased to introduce this drape to the market.”

 

About Cardinal Health

 

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $75 billion, global company serving the health care industry with a broad portfolio of products and services. Through its diverse offerings, Cardinal Health delivers integrated health-care solutions that help customers reduce their costs, improve efficiency and deliver better care to patients.  The company manufactures, packages and distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, offers a range of clinical services and develops automation products that improve the management and delivery of supplies and medication for hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies. Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 55,000 people on six continents. More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com