Description
The discussion revolves around the use of various debridement tools and adjuvants in the operating room, specifically focusing on the VERSAJET device by Smith and Nephew. Hesham Abdellbary initiates the dialogue by inquiring about the panel's familiarity with VERSAJET, to which all members—Donald Garbuz, Stephen Kates, and James Powell—respond negatively. They express their preference for traditional methods such as scalpels for debridement. Further, Hesham explores the use of other adjuvants like Betadine, stimulan beads, and viable alternatives in the operating room raised by panelists. Donald shares a brief experience with stimulan beads, noting their high cost and limited usage due to economic constraints, despite acknowledging some degree of success. Stephen and James echo similar sentiments about the drawbacks of stimulan beads, emphasizing issues like wound drainage and cost-effectiveness. Hedging into future possibilities, Hesham asserts the need for more studies to substantiate the effectiveness of these costly treatments, hinting at the potential for clinical trials to yield valuable data. The conversation shifts towards therapeutic advancements, touching on regulatory challenges faced in deploying individualized treatments like CAR T therapy. Gina Suh combines her expertise to discuss anticipated developments, emphasizing collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and regulatory bodies to facilitate the introduction of innovative therapies in clinical practice, albeit acknowledging the inherent barriers prevalent due to the individualized nature of such treatments. The session concludes with a mention of the economic implications of therapy costs, reiterating that pharmaceutical pricing will ultimately depend on market forces.