Live laparoscopic banding surgery to be broadcast over the World Wide Web

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) will broadcast its first real-time live surgery over the World Wide Web on April 5, 2005 at 12:00pm (CDT) 1:00pm (EDT). The surgery, called laparoscopic banding, is a relatively new treatment for obesity. The Webcast is part of UAB's continuing effort to familiarize doctors with the latest surgical techniques, and allows the public a real-time look at medical advances.

Dr. Ronald Clements, a specialist in surgery for obesity, will perform the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure. The Webcast will be moderated by Dr. Brandon Roy. During the interactive broadcast, doctors and the public will be able to hear Dr. Clements describe the procedure, and will be able to ask questions and view slides and diagrams.

"This is an innovative procedure that has several advantages for many people," Dr. Clements said. "Unlike the various gastric bypass operations, banding does not require any cutting and stapling of the gastrointestinal tract to create a smaller stomach, so it's lower risk and there are fewer potential complications. Also, unlike the bypass operations, banding can be reversed later on if necessary."

"A small pouch is attained by wrapping a stable plastic band around the stomach near where food empties into it. The band is constructed so that, later, it can be adjusted by injecting saline into it to tighten it and make the pouch smaller, or vice-versa," Clements explained.

"As one of the leading medical schools and teaching hospitals in the world, we believe that launching a webcast program will enable doctors and the public to learn about newer, innovative procedures that are not performed at many other institutions, and at only a small number of medical centers." said Dr. Kirby Bland, Chairman, Department of Surgery. "Our hope is that this program will not only educate but also raise awareness of some diseases and their prevention and treatment options."

This procedure features the LAP-BAND® System from BioEnterics Corporation (NASDAQ: IMDC). Visit http://www.or-live.com/universityofalabama/1274 now to learn more and view a program preview. A VNR is available at http://www.or-live.com/rams/uab-1274-mkw-q.ram