Current and Emerging Wound Closure Products and Techniques in Europe and the U.S.

Since its inception in the 1980s, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), or endoscopic surgery, has been driving surgical innovation. One of the major barriers to the adoption of minimally invasive techniques in wound closure has been the difficulty associated with performing the simple task of knot tying in the suturing process. Suturing is still performed with a needle, thread, and significant dexterity on the part of the surgeon. Advances in visualization, miniature instrumentation, and general learning curve advancement have afforded the best laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeons the ability to tie intracorporeally. To date, however,
suturing and knot tying continue to be technical hurdles to the procedural adoption of MIS.