Pretzel-shaped success in US for surgery firm

KEYHOLE surgery equipment maker Surgical Innovations reported a strong fourth quarter and said its strategy of focusing on the US has paid off at a time when European markets are challenging.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Jan 2012, 06:00 BST

The Sheffield-based firm also said it has seen encouraging sales of its PretzelFlex keyhole instrument.

The group said it has traded in line with market expectations for the year to December 31 despite difficult market conditions.

Orders from the US have continued to rise and sales of the PretzelFlex laparoscopic retractor, which has a flexible pretzel shape to keep organs out of the way during surgery, have been encouraging since its launch last November.

Surgical said it will introduce a number of new pre-production products at an international arthroscopic clinical congress in the second half of 2012.

Chief executive Graham Bowland said: “Surgical Innovations has made progress in 2011, particularly in the US and in the development and launch of new products.

“The group looks forward with confidence.”

Preliminary results for the year to December 31 are expected to be released on April 24.

Sheffield