Exactech (NSDQ:EXAC) said this week its Vantage total ankle mobile bearing system was used in its first commercial surgery.
The procedure to implant the Vantage total ankle system was performed by Swiss Ortho Center Basel chair and device design member Dr. Victor Valderrabano in Switzerland, the Gainesville, Fla.-based company said.
The case included both an ankle replacement and the correction of an ankle deformity through fibular lengthening and calcaneal osteotomies.
“It was a momentous occasion to have performed the first Vantage Ankle mobile bearing surgery, and we were pleased with the implants’ streamlined technique, practical instrumentation and thoughtfully designed implants. This case had an added layer of complexity since the patient was in valgus, but after the deformity correction, we were able to move forward with the replacement,” Valderrabano said in a prepared statement.
The Vantage ankle was a collaborative effort between Valderrabano and a design team from Duke University, Exactech said. The system has received CE Mark approval in the European Union and the company is hopeful for full market availability in the region in 2018.
“This year has been an incredible one of exciting milestones and increasing momentum for our total ankle initiative. This first mobile bearing total ankle surgery is the latest success and represents an important expansion of our Vantage Ankle brand. Dr. Valderrabano’s successful surgery also represents the first time our total ankle products have helped a patient outside the U.S., which is impactful on multiple fronts to our mission. We appreciate Dr. Valderrabano and his meaningful contributions to the team and this implant, in particular,” Exactech extremities marketing VP Darin Johnson said in a press release.
Earlier this month, Exactech said that TPG Capital raised its go-private bid for the orthopedics company by some $108 million, or more than 17%.
