Preventing and Treating Surgical Site Infections with Collatamp G

Collatamp G represents a true breakthrough in the prevention of surgical site infections, providing antibiotic protection that kills bacteria directly at the surgical site.

How Collatamp G Works

Collatamp G is a fully resorbable surgical "sponge" made of collagen, a natural substance found in the skin.

During surgery, the surgeon places Collatamp G in the patient's surgical wound.

The collagen matrix of Collatamp G accelerates hemostasis (clotting) and speeds wound healing.

Unlike other collagen-based hemostats, Collatamp G also releases gentamicin, a powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic that helps prevent surgical site infections.

When the patient has received the dose of antibiotics, the collagen breaks down. Because collagen is a natural part of skin, it is easily reabsorbed by the body, promoting accelerated wound healing.

A Cost-Effective Adjunct to Systemic Antibiotics

Collatamp G has been clinically proven to be an effective adjunct to prophylactic antibiotic protocols that are already used in hospitals, reducing the rate of surgical site infections in high-risk patients by 50-85% for certain surgeries.

Systemic antibiotics are delivered through an IV and travel through the bloodstream—affecting many of the body's systems as the antibiotic passes through the body.

Collatamp G, in contrast, delivers a high, localized dose of gentamicin directly to the surgical site with no systemic effects.

The patient receives a much higher local dose of gentamicin than when the antibiotic is administered systemically.

This is important for two reasons:

A localized dose doesn't enter the bloodstream, meaning that, with appropriate dosing, patients don't develop side effects or toxicity.
The ability to administer higher doses of gentamicin means that Collatamp G is able to eradicate even gentamicin-resistant organisms.

Applications and Use

Collatamp G has wide surgical applications. It is especially recommended for high-risk patients and surgeries that have higher rates of surgical site infections:

GI/Abdominal
Cardiothoracic
Colorectal
Orthopedic
Vascular
Plastic

The pliable, spongy material can be cut, rolled, packed or mixed with bone cement, depending on the type of surgery, and is easily incorporated into the OR setting—adding only 90 seconds to three minutes to the procedure time.

Side Effects and Restrictions

Collatamp G has been used in over two million patients globally over 20 years and, to date, there have been no reported side effects.

However, patients who have protein allergies or sensitivities to gentamicin should not use Collatamp G.

Like all antibiotics, gentamicin can negatively affect some of the body's systems if used improperly. Gentamicin can affect the kidneys and the ears, so appropriate dosing guidelines must be followed.

Potential for Healthcare Savings

Although Collatamp G represents an additional initial cost to operating room budgets, it is calculated to cost less than half of 1% of the operating room's overall expenditures—and has demonstrated cost savings that ripple throughout the healthcare system.

And the savings to patients, hospitals and the healthcare system generally outweigh any initial investment in the operating room.

Each patient who contracts an surgical site infection is estimated to cost the hospital at least $4,000—not including the cost of additional surgeries or supplies.

And according to Dr. Ross Baker, a University of Toronto professor of health, policy and management, a "reasonable" reduction in the number of surgical site infections in a medium-sized hospital could free up as many as 20 to 30 beds on an ongoing basis.

Collatamp G is projected to save the Canadian healthcare system overall more than $50 million annually.

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About Surgical Site Infections

Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Healthcare Facilities