West Chester (PA), USA, December 15, 2011

Synthes (SWX: SYST.VX)held a Special Meeting of Stockholders on December 15, 2011 at 11:00 am at their premises in Zuchwil (Solothurn), Switzerland.

89,568,935 (75.4%) of the 118,756,463 shares entitled to vote were represented at the Special Meeting.

The shareholders approved the proposal to adopt the agreement and plan of merger as outlined in the invitation.

The meeting was closed at 12.00 pm.

Synthes: A leading medical device company

Synthes is a leading global medical device company. We develop, produce and market instruments, implants and biomaterials for the surgical fixation, correction and regeneration of the human skeleton and its soft tissues.

Image Bank

A selection of product and company images can be found here.

For further information please contact

Gilgian Eisner, Investor Relations, Synthes, Inc.

Phone +41 32 720 4745, Fax +41 32 720 4811

Email: investor.relations@synthes.com ,http://www.synthes.com

Restrictions Subject to US Securities Law

Synthes, Inc. management believes certain statements in this media release may constitute "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the "Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995". These statements include but are not limited to those with respect to the potential for Synthes to offer new products and market existing ones, as well as the expected sales and sales growth of Synthes. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from the ability of Synthes to successfully develop and introduce new products and services and market existing products and services in a competitive marketplace and changes in the economic conditions that may affect the performance of the operations of Synthes. In addition, changes in competitive conditions and regulatory developments may affect future business performance, and changing market conditions may affect the valuation of Synthes securities. In addition, it should be noted that past financial and operational performance of the company is not necessarily indicative of future financial and operational performance. Synthes undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The securities of Synthes have been offered and sold outside the United States and have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). Such securities may not be offered, sold or transferred in the U.S. or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the regulations of the Securities Act), except pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act or under an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. Hedging transactions involving such securities may not be conducted unless in compliance with the Securities Act. The Synthes securities are deemed "Restricted Securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.