Medical Technology

In the O.R. with Prineo.

Scottsdale – As I continue to evaluate Prineo, the new combination mesh tape and Dermabond® surgical glue, I continue to learn about this new product and how it performs. In the last few weeks, my plastic surgery patients with Prineo, have demonstrated very good results at the incision lines. In follow up appointments I have learned a few more useful tips about the mesh-glue technique.

Easy in Plastic Surgery Procedures

First of all, with a little practice, it is easy to put on and it is easy to remove. The simplest removal technique, for patient and plastic surgeon, is to use petrolatum over the mesh-glue. I recommend for the cosmetic surgery patient to begin applying either Vaseline® or Bacitracin ointment 48 to 72 hours before their scheduled appointment.

I learned not to apply the petrolatum too early! If this is applied much earlier than 72 hours, the reaction will progress and the mesh-glue will become loose. The patient will be tempted to remove it at home. This experience helped me to develop a quick and easy statement I regularly share with patients, “He who puts it on, takes it off”. This has helped to avoid situations in which the patient removes the mesh-glue on their own.

Recommendations for Prineo and Cosmetic Surgery Incisions

I recommend for cosmetic surgeons using Prineo in the future, to remove the mesh yourself. Not only will you feel better, but you will do a better job than the patient. In addition, it is impressive to remove the mesh-glue and see, for the first time, the underlying incision and how clean and tension-less it looks. Then, you can use a mirror and show it to your plastic surgery patient. They will likely be just as impressed.

Consistent Tension Reduction across Breast Lift with Prineo

Speaking to tension!  I really appreciate the tension reduction I have seem in breast lift incisions, specially at the “T” junction of the anchor pattern breast lift. For me, the lower “T” junction has always been a challenge. This area develops the most tension during breast lift closure and the oxygen level in this, the most distal part of the breast flap, is the weakest. This combination adds up to about 40 to 50% of patients developing delays in wound healing. Prineo offers a significant advantage here. The mesh-glue combination reduces tension in this critical region.

Now, don’t confuse the situation. The plastic surgeon still has to do a reasonable job at developing a robust flap and closing the incision with the least tension possible. But, even under the best conditions, there is still quite a bit of tension with most anchor pattern breast lifts. I have now observed the Prineo give me better results in the T area on three consecutive patients and I am impressed.

The mesh-glue tape has not let me down so far with tummy tuck, lower body lift, and breast lifts. I am looking forward to continuing to see the progress my patients make over the next few months.

I want to take this opportunity to say, in case anyone is wondering,  I have no financial interests in Ethicon, Inc. or Johnson & Johnson, Inc.