Olympus Plasma Prostate Resection System Is Recommended by National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Olympus Plasma Resection System Demonstrates Increased Clinical Benefits and Requires Minimal Surgeon Training

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (March 29, 2016) – Olympus, a global technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, announced today the U.K. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations to adopt Olympus’ plasma resection system.

NICE, a worldwide and highly regarded technology assessment agency, offered recommendations with regard to the plasma resection system, or TURis (transurethral resection in saline), for Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) surgical procedures, specifically TURis, to reduce the size of enlarged prostate glands in men. The recommendations will be highlighted at the upcoming American Urology Association national congress in San Diego, Calif.

NICE included the following conclusions in its recommendations to adopt Olympus’ plasma resection system, which included a comprehensive review of previously published studies about the Olympus platform:

  • Using bipolar energy instead of monopolar during the procedure avoids the risk of TUR syndrome, reduces the need for blood transfusion and has the potential to reduce the length of hospital stay.
  • Little training is needed for surgeons who already are performing monopolar TURP procedures.
  • Olympus plasma resection would not result in changes to the current pathway of patient care or involve additional system resources.

Plasma resection is a type of TURP procedure that uses the safety of resection in saline. It is designed for use when surgical intervention is indicated for benign prostatic enlargement. Olympus’ plasma resection system consists of an Olympus generator, a resectoscope and an electrode, available in a variety of designs to meet versatile procedural needs. During this procedure, the surgeon uses an endoscopic image to guide the electrode assembly through the urethra to the prostate. The electrode is then used to cut and coagulate prostate tissue. Electrodes are available in different sizes and shapes) for cutting, coagulation and vaporization, and to take into account surgeon preference and clinical requirements. A urinary catheter is inserted at the end of the procedure, and patients often can be sent home the same day of the procedure.

In addition to recommending the Olympus plasma resection system for its clinical benefits, NICE concluded that despite some uncertainty, the use of this system is likely to generate cost savings compared with monopolar TURP.

Enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), affects approximately 60 percent of men age 60 or older. The percentage increases to 80-90 percent in those over age 80. Approximately 150,000 men have TURP procedures each year in the U.S.

“Olympus’ plasma resection solution is an important and innovative surgical platform for our urology customers," said Todd Usen, President, Medical Systems Group at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “The clinical benefits of plasma resection are aligned with healthcare facilities’ goals to meet the triple aim of healthcare reform – increased quality of care, reduced costs and improved patient satisfaction.”

Designed with performance and patient safety in mind, Olympus’ products help physicians deliver value to patients and help healthcare facilities meet the following key healthcare reform initiatives:

  • Increased Quality of Care: Olympus’ therapeutic energy platforms contribute to easier, more precise access to complicated anatomy, potentially reducing the risks of trauma and complications.
  • Decreased Costs: Plasma resection is supported by the ESG-400 generator on the THUNDERBEAT platform, the only system that delivers every common form of energy used in surgery today. Plasma resection also is supported by much of the same resection equipment utilized for monopolar TURP, reducing need for additional capital equipment purchase.
  • Enhanced Patient Satisfaction: Olympus’ therapeutic devices help physicians access the anatomy and provide treatment to patients in need so they can have a better quality of life.

For more information about Olympus’ plasma resection system, please contact Olympus customer service at 1-800-401-1086 ext. 6 or at medical.olympusamerica.com/technology/plasma-vaporization.

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About Olympus Medical Systems Group
Olympus Medical Systems Group, a division of global technology leader Olympus, develops solutions for healthcare professionals that help improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for their patients. By enabling less invasive procedures, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and early stage lung cancer evaluation and treatments, Olympus is transforming the future of healthcare.

For more information visit Olympus at medical.olympusamerica.com.

i https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg23

ii http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(bph)/treatment/surgery