Medacta Highlights Importance of Surgeon Education for the Anterior Approach with Live Events, Webcast, and Milestone Opening of 200th Learning Center

LUGANO, Switzerland & CHICAGO

This week, Medacta, a privately held, family-owned global leader in the design of innovative joint replacement and spine surgery products, celebrates a significant year of milestones for its AMIS (Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery) Technique, a complete system of tools and educational resources designed to support surgeons practicing the anterior approach for hip replacement. To promote its AMIS platform and surgeon education offerings, and to support its commitment to ongoing medical education as a way to drive outcomes and healthcare efficiency, Medacta will host a series of events starting September 28 across five U.S. cities. Included in this weeklong program is a live webcast panel featuring prominent surgeons from across the U.S., France, and Australia, and the commencement of Medacta’s 200^th AMIS Learning Center.

“Over a decade ago, Medacta pioneered the AMIS program for anterior hip replacement because we believed in its potential to foster patient well-being and livelihood,” said Francesco Siccardi, executive vice president of Medacta International. “To this day we continue to drive surgical innovation and deliver AMIS solutions to practices worldwide as an alternative to traditional hip replacement techniques. Our M.O.R.E. (Medacta Orthopedic Research and Education) Institute programs support these efforts and have become a key resource helping surgeons onboard and sustain long-term adoption and positive patient outcomes. Celebrating our 200^th Learning Center is a milestone achievement for Medacta, and we look forward to bringing the AMIS technique to more surgeons and hospitals throughout the United States and around the world.”

The AMIS Technique for total hip replacement is a muscle-sparing technique associated with potential positive patient outcomes, including shorter hospitalization and rehabilitation time and a faster return to daily activities. Beyond the approach, the AMIS Educational Program encompasses educational services for surgeons to become proficient in the technique, including ongoing medical education and dedicated implants and instruments.

In 2004, Medacta entered into partnership with anterior approach pioneer Frédéric Laude, M.D., of Paris, France, to develop the first operating table specific to the technique that does not require a capital investment by the healthcare facility. Since then, Dr. Laude has helped advance Medacta’s mission to diffuse the AMIS Technique globally by way of surgical education programs that may assist in reducing the learning curve, support adoption, and underscore the importance of ongoing medical education. An accomplished surgeon and instrumental influence on the orthopedics landscape at large, Dr. Laude will accompany Medacta on its weeklong series of events and milestones as a noted guest of honor, participant and lecturer.

“Since Medacta and I joined forces and developed the AMIS Technique, we have worked to push the boundaries of innovation and support surgeons through top-notch educational courses,” said Dr. Frédéric Laude. “Education is a key driver of positive holistic outcomes, and Medacta’s unique commitment to surgeon training has helped fuel the growing worldwide adoption of AMIS. I look forward to being a part of this important week of milestones as it underscores a deep-rooted responsibility to surgeons and patients everywhere.”

Since the AMIS program was introduced in 2004, more than 3,500 surgeons in over 30 countries have been trained in the AMIS Education Program. There are now 200 Reference Centers around the world, and a total of 170,000 AMIS procedures have been performed worldwide.

The roster of events taking place this week includes:

Global Education Webcast

On Thursday, October 1 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. MDT, Medacta will host a live VuMedi webcast, “The AMIS Education Program: Supporting a Safe and Effective Transition to the Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty,” featuring surgeons from around the world to discuss the importance of surgeon education in delivering superior outcomes with the anterior approach. The webcast participants are:

• Dr. Tyler Goldberg, Texas Orthopedics, Austin, TX, USA (Moderator)
• Dr. Frédéric Laude, CMC Paris V Paris, France (Panelist)
• Dr. Chien-Wen Liew, Adelaide Orthopedics and Trauma Specialists, Adelaide, AUS (Panelist)

Born in Europe, and relatively new to America and Australia, the anterior approach has been gaining steady popularity as the preferred surgical technique for hip replacement procedures. The panelists will discuss their personal experiences with AMIS and how the platform can assist surgeons during the early part of the adoption phase and support successful implementation of the approach into their practice. As more and more surgeons look to utilize the anterior approach, this panel will demonstrate the immediate and direct impact a comprehensive education platform can have on surgeons being trained.

To sign up for the webcast or learn more please visit: http://bit.ly/1ESHAcp.

Nationwide Educational Programs

To support its unique and unparalleled commitment to ongoing medical education, Medacta will embark on an educational roadshow, holding educational sessions at academic teaching institutions and fellowship programs in New York City; Denver; Taos, New Mexico; and Louisville, Kentucky. Leading the sessions will be longtime collaborator and esteemed surgeon, Dr. Frédéric Laude, credited for helping pioneer and develop the AMIS program for the anterior approach alongside Medacta.

200^th AMIS Learning Center

Education is the most crucial tool to driving clinical proficiency and innovation and patient outcomes across the globe. To support positive outcomes in the operating room, Medacta created the AMIS Education Program, a comprehensive multistep training process that starts with visiting a Reference Center to watch live surgery, attending an AMIS Learning Center, and ultimately performing surgery with support from an AMIS certified surgeon proctor. Throughout, product specialists and surgeons are available to provide mentorship and support. The 200^th AMIS Learning Center is an impressive feat and demonstration of Medacta’s superior commitment to supporting surgeons worldwide. The 200^th Learning Center will take place on October 2 in Aurora, Colorado.

About Medacta® International

Medacta® International is a world-leading manufacturer of orthopedic implants, neurosurgical systems, and instrumentation. Medacta’s revolutionary approach and responsible innovation have resulted in standard of care breakthroughs in hip replacement with the AMIS® system and total knee replacement with MyKnee® patient matched technology. Over the last 10 years, Medacta has grown dramatically by taking a holistic approach and placing value on all aspects of the care experience from design to training to sustainability. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in over 30 countries. For more information about Medacta, please visit: www.medacta.com.

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