XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS INC
S-3, 1998-05-26
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
 
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 26, 1998
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------
                         XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                                ---------------
               DELAWARE                                06-1393528
     (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                   (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)               IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                          6743 SOUTHPOINT DRIVE NORTH
                          JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32216
                                (904) 296-9600
         (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
            AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                                ---------------
                                JAMES T. TREACE
                      PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
                         XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
                          6743 SOUTHPOINT DRIVE NORTH
                          JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32216
                                (904) 296-9600
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                  INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                  COPIES TO:
          STEVEN J. GARTNER                       WALTER G. LOHR, JR.
       WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER                  HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.
          787 SEVENTH AVENUE                    111 SOUTH CALVERT STREET
       NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202
            (212) 728-8000                           (410) 659-2700
 
                                ---------------
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [_]
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_] ____________
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_] _______________
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                 PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES  AMOUNT TO BE   OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
        TO BE REGISTERED           REGISTERED(1)   PER SHARE(2)   OFFERING PRICE(2) REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>              <C>               <C>
Common Stock, $0.01 par
 value per share........             1,495,000       $28.375         $42,420,625        $12,855
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Includes 195,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
    Underwriters' over-allotment option.
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
    to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon
    the last sale price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
    Market on May 22, 1998 ($28.375).
 
                                ---------------
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                                                           SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                                                    MAY 26, 1998
                                1,300,000 Shares
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                  Common Stock
 
                                   --------
 
  Of the 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 612,500 shares are
being sold by Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. ("Xomed" or the "Company") and
687,500 shares are being sold by certain stockholders of the Company (the
"Selling Stockholders"). The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from
the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
 
  The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"XOMD." On May 22, 1998, the last reported sale price for the Common Stock was
$28.375.
 
                                   --------
 
   THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK
                         FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 8.
 
                                   --------
 
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE
  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
  IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    PRICE  UNDERWRITING   PROCEEDS  PROCEEDS TO
                                      TO   DISCOUNTS AND     TO       SELLING
                                    PUBLIC  COMMISSIONS  COMPANY(1) STOCKHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>    <C>           <C>        <C>
Per Share..........................  $         $            $           $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(2)........................... $          $           $           $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Before deducting expenses of the offering estimated at $600,000, payable by
    the Company.
(2) Each of the Company and a Selling Stockholder has granted to the
    Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 97,500 additional shares of
    Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent that
    the option is exercised, the Underwriters will offer the additional shares
    at the Price to Public shown above. If the option is exercised in full, the
    total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, Proceeds to
    Company and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $   , $   , $    and
    $   , respectively. See "Underwriting."
 
                                   --------
 
  The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by them, and subject
to the right of the Underwriters to reject any order in whole or in part. It is
expected that delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made at the
offices of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland, on or about
 , 1998.
 
BT ALEX. BROWN
                                  FURMAN SELZ
                                                              PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
 
                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS       , 1998.
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                                   [ARTWORK]
<PAGE>
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK.
SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOLLOWING
THE OFFERING TO COVER A SYNDICATE SHORT POSITION IN THE COMMON STOCK OR
MAINTAIN THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK, AND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY BIDS.
FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND OTHER SELLING
GROUP MEMBERS OR THEIR AFFILIATES MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING
TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULE 103 OF REGULATION M. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                               ----------------
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Xomed is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of
surgical products for use by ear, nose and throat ("ENT") specialists. The
Company's core ENT products include powered tissue-removal systems and other
microendoscopy instruments, implantable devices, nerve monitoring systems and
disposable fluid-control products. The Company also offers a line of ophthalmic
and other products. For the year ended December 31, 1997, Xomed derived
approximately 80% of its revenues from disposable or implantable products. The
Company distributes its products worldwide through an 82-person direct sales
organization in the U.S. and selected other countries and through a network of
over 130 independent distributors. Xomed is the only major manufacturer and
marketer of ENT surgical products with a direct U.S. sales force exclusively
serving ENT specialists. Approximately 30% of the Company's net sales was
derived from international markets for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Approximately 29% of the Company's net sales in 1997 in its core ENT product
line was derived from products introduced within the last three years. With
over 25 years of industry experience, Xomed believes that it has established a
long-standing reputation for innovative, high-quality products and is uniquely
positioned as the only major surgical products company focused on the ENT
market.
 
  More than an estimated 20,000 ENT specialists practice worldwide, of which
approximately 9,000 practice in the U.S. Diseases and conditions addressed by
ENT specialists affect sizable patient populations and include chronic
sinusitis, chronic infection of the middle ear, tonsils and adenoids, nasal and
laryngeal polyps and facial tumors. Increasingly, ENT surgeons are expanding
their practices to include facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The
Company estimates that more than three million ENT procedures were performed in
the U.S. in 1996 and that the U.S. market for surgical instruments, devices and
supplies used by ENT specialists was approximately $180 million in 1996.
 
  The ENT market is in the midst of a conversion from conventional surgical
approaches to less-traumatic approaches that involve the use of advanced
surgical tools, such as powered tissue-removal systems and small-diameter
surgical endoscopes, thereby minimizing patient trauma and reducing procedure
times. Xomed believes that the adoption of these less-traumatic techniques is
being driven by several factors, including economic pressures and patient
demand. Minimally invasive techniques have the potential to increase the number
of ENT procedures that can be performed in lower-cost outpatient or day surgery
settings. Patient demand is likely to increase due to the reduced morbidity and
improved outcomes of these less invasive ENT procedures. Xomed believes that
the ongoing conversion in the ENT market to less-traumatic approaches is
similar to recent conversions in the general surgery market to less invasive
techniques and in the orthopaedic surgery market to powered instrumentation
systems.
 
  Xomed's objective is to enhance its leading position in the ENT market and to
enter new markets. The Company's strategy for achieving this objective is to:
(i) increase its penetration of the ENT market; (ii) facilitate ENT market
conversion to less-traumatic approaches; (iii) emphasize product innovation
through internal research and development; (iv) maintain a broad product line
of ENT products with particular emphasis on disposable and implantable
products; (v) expand its global distribution network; and (vi) leverage its
core competencies to enter new markets, including potentially orthopaedics and
plastic and reconstructive surgery.
 
  The Company's principal executive office is located at 6743 Southpoint Drive
North, Jacksonville, Florida 32216, and its telephone number is (904) 296-9600.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
  The Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk
Factors."
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
 <C>                                                        <S>
 Common Stock offered by the Company......................  612,500 shares
 Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholders.........  687,500 shares
 Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering........  7,955,749 shares(1)
 Use of proceeds..........................................  Business development and
                                                             expansion, working
                                                             capital and other
                                                             general corporate
                                                             purposes
 Nasdaq National Market symbol............................  XOMD
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based on 7,343,249 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 15, 1998.
    Excludes 835,166 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
    outstanding stock options having a weighted average exercise price of
    $17.05 per share. See "Capitalization" and "Principal and Selling
    Stockholders."
 
                                ----------------
 
  Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Safe Harbor Statement. This
Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference herein) contains
certain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and information relating to the
Company that are based on the beliefs of the management of the Company, as well
as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of
the Company. When used in this Prospectus, the words "estimate," "project,"
"believe," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the
current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements (including those
discussed under "Risk Factors"). Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
 
                                ----------------
 
  Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the "Company" or "Xomed"
include Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries and their
respective predecessors. Except as otherwise specified, all information in this
Prospectus assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See
"Underwriting."
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                          ------------------------------------------  -------------------
                                                                      MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                           1993   1994(1)   1995     1996     1997      1997      1998
                          ------- -------  -------  -------  -------  --------- ---------
<S>                       <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
 Sales, net.............  $10,071 $42,475  $59,865  $65,664  $77,240   $17,804   $20,682
 Gross profit...........    7,195  23,242   36,690   39,738   46,765    10,644    12,619
 Selling, general and
  administrative........    6,074  19,126   27,077   26,799   30,334     7,253     8,085
 Research and
  development...........      311   1,958    2,405    3,659    4,088     1,006     1,170
 Amortization of
  intangibles(2)........      394   2,652    2,579    2,421    2,374       615       584
 Write-off of acquired
  research and
  development(3)........      --      --       --     2,380      --        --        --
 Restructuring
  charges(4)............      --      --       --     3,093      --        --        --
 Operating income (loss)
  from continuing
  operations............      416    (494)   4,629    1,386    9,969     1,770     2,780
 Income (loss) from
  continuing
  operations............      219  (1,555)     325   (1,167)   6,130     1,087     1,725
 Per Share (Pro Forma
  1995 and 1996)(5)
 Income (loss) from con-
  tinuing operations
  available to common
  shareholders--dilut-
  ed....................                   $ (0.03) $ (0.46) $  0.82   $  0.15   $  0.23
OTHER STATISTICAL
 DATA(6):
 Market Mix (Percent of Sales):
 Sinus and rhinology.....................     28.5%    33.9%    37.4%     35.2%     41.0%
 Head and neck...........................     23.7     24.5     23.1      20.3      22.0
 Otology.................................     20.7     21.1     18.7      21.7      20.0
                                           -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
 Total core business.....................     72.9%    79.5%    79.2%     77.2%     83.0%
 Ophthalmic and other....................     27.1     20.5     20.8      22.8      17.0
                                           -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
  Total..................................    100.0%   100.0%   100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
 Geographic Mix (Percent of Sales):
 U.S. ...................................     70.6%    68.0%    69.7%     69.1%     70.9%
 International...........................     29.4     32.0     30.3      30.9      29.1
                                           -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
  Total..................................    100.0%   100.0%   100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
 Product-Type Mix (Percent of Sales):
 Equipment and instrumentation...........     15.7%    15.5%    20.4%     17.1%     18.5%
 Disposables and implantables............     84.3     84.5     79.6      82.9      81.5
                                           -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
  Total..................................    100.0%   100.0%   100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
 Core product sales growth(7)............     10.3%    19.6%    17.2%      8.3%     24.8%
 Gross margin(8).........................     62.8%    60.5%    60.5%     59.8%     61.0%
 EBITDA(8)...............................  $10,279  $12,090  $14,883   $ 2,997   $ 3,997
 EBITDA margin(8)........................     17.2%    18.4%    19.3%     16.8%     19.3%
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             MARCH 28, 1998
                         ----------------------
                         ACTUAL  AS ADJUSTED(9)
                         ------- --------------
<S>                      <C>     <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital.......  $27,736    $ 43,516
 Cost in excess of net
  assets acquired,
  net..................   41,901      41,901
 Total assets..........   98,773     114,553
 Total shareholders'
  equity...............   88,275     104,055
</TABLE>
 
                  (See accompanying notes on following page.)
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
 
(1) Statement of Operations Data includes the results of operations of Xomed-
    Treace, Inc. since the date of its acquisition by the Company in April
    1994.
 
(2) Amortization of intangibles includes amortization of foreign distribution
    rights of $838,000 and $162,000 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
    1995, respectively.
 
(3) Research and development acquired in the purchase of TreBay Medical
    Corporation ("TreBay"). See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--
    Note 1.
 
(4) Restructuring charge related to the combination of certain operations and
    termination of employees. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--
    Note 7.
 
(5) The pro forma presentations have been adjusted to reflect: (i) the
    acquisition of TreBay as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1995
    (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--Note 18); (ii) the capital
    contribution of accrued cumulative preferred stock dividends of $7,559,000
    in connection with the acquisition of TreBay; (iii) the conversion of all
    Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred
    Stock outstanding as of April 16, 1996 into Common Stock; (iv) the exercise
    of all options outstanding during 1996 and 1995 to purchase Common Stock;
    (v) the conversion of 60,225 shares of Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock
    into 300,354 shares of Common Stock on the date of the initial public
    offering; and (vi) the conversion of 426,777 shares of Non-Voting Common
    Stock into Common Stock. Pro forma income (loss) from continuing operations
    available to common shareholders was $(149) and $(2,413) for the years
    ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. See Consolidated Financial
    Statements.
 
(6) Other Statistical Data has been omitted for the fiscal years ended December
    31, 1993 and 1994 because the statement of operations for the Company only
    includes the results of operations of Xomed-Treace, Inc. since the date of
    its acquisition by the Company in April 1994 and therefore such data for
    prior periods is not comparable to subsequent periods.
 
(7) Core product revenue growth for 1995 is computed based on the inclusion of
    Xomed-Treace Inc. for a full year in 1994. Xomed-Treace, Inc. was purchased
    on April 15, 1994. Core product revenue growth was 40.9% without the
    inclusion of Xomed-Treace, Inc. prior to the purchase date.
 
(8) Gross margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin for 1995 exclude acquisition cost of
    $919,000 related to the write up of inventory associated with the Xomed
    Acquisition (as defined). See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition--Xomed Acquisition." Including this cost, gross margin,
    EBITDA and EBITDA margin for 1995 were 61.3%, $9,360 and 15.6%,
    respectively.
 
(9) Adjusted to give effect to the offering and the Company's application of
    the net proceeds therefrom (at an assumed public offering price of $28.375
    per share). See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the following
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating an investment in the
shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus.
 
  Possible Obsolescence from Rapid Technological Change; Uncertainty as to
Market Acceptance of the Company's Products. The health care industry is
characterized by rapidly changing technology and frequent new product
introductions. The Company believes that its ability to develop and
commercialize new products and enhancements of existing products is critical
to its continued growth and profitability. There can be no assurance that the
Company will continue to be successful in identifying, developing and
marketing new products or enhancing its existing products. The Company's
business will be adversely affected if the Company incurs delays in developing
new products or enhancements or if such products or enhancements do not gain
market acceptance. Market acceptance of the Company's products will be
determined in large part by the Company's ability to demonstrate the surgical
advantages, safety and efficacy, cost effectiveness and performance features
of such products, as well as to train surgeons and other operating staff in
their use. The Company believes that use and acceptance by physicians and
hospitals will be essential for market acceptance of certain of its products,
and there can be no assurance that its products will be used or accepted.
There can be no assurance that those products or technologies developed by
others will not render the Company's products or technologies noncompetitive
or obsolete.
 
  Possible Adverse Effects of Significant Competition. The Company encounters
significant competition in all of the markets in which it participates. Many
of the Company's current and potential competitors have substantially greater
resources, including capital, name recognition, research and development
experience and regulatory, manufacturing and marketing capabilities. Many of
these competitors offer well-established, broad product lines and ancillary
services not offered by the Company. Some of the Company's competitors have
long-term or preferential supply arrangements with hospitals, which may act as
a barrier to market entry. Other large health care companies may enter the
market for the Company's products in the future. Competing companies may
succeed in developing products that are more efficacious or less costly than
any that may be developed and marketed by the Company, and such companies also
may be more successful than the Company in production and marketing. Competing
companies may also exert competitive pricing pressures that may adversely
affect the Company's sales levels and margins. Rapid technological development
by others may result in the Company's products becoming obsolete before the
Company recovers a significant portion of the research, development and
commercialization expenses incurred with respect to those products. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to compete
successfully with existing competitors or will be able to compete successfully
with new competitors.
 
  Dependence on Management and Other Key Personnel. The Company's success
depends to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of its executive
officers. The loss of the services of certain of these individuals or of other
key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Although
the Company has entered into employment agreements with James T. Treace, its
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, F. Barry Bays, its Senior
Vice President, Operations and Chief Operating Officer, and certain other
executive officers that include non-competition covenants, there can be no
assurance that any of these individuals or any other key employee will not
terminate his or her employment with the Company. The Company believes that
its success also will depend significantly upon its ability to attract,
motivate and retain additional highly skilled managerial, operational,
technical and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel is
intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
attracting, assimilating and retaining the personnel it requires. See
"Business--Employees."
 
  Risks Associated with Newly Established International Sales Operations;
Currency Exchange Risks. Within the past three years, the Company has
established direct sales operations in five countries. The failure of these
new direct sales operations to develop successfully may have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations. International sales (including export sales) accounted for
approximately 32% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1996 and 30% of net
sales in 1997, and
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
the Company expects that international sales will continue to be a significant
portion of the Company's business. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, as
well as increases in duty rates and difficulties in obtaining export licenses,
may affect the Company's international business. The Company's establishment
of direct international sales operations further increases its exposure to
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect reported
sales and earnings, because the sales of these operations are denominated in
local currency and not in U.S. dollars. Although the Company in 1997 began
hedging its intercompany foreign currency receivables to protect against
uncertainty in the level of future exchange rates, there can be no assurance
that such hedging will succeed in protecting against such uncertainty.
 
  Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations. The Company's sales and operating
results have varied, and are expected to continue to vary, significantly from
quarter to quarter as a result of seasonal patterns, the timing of new product
introductions and promotional activities. The Company believes that its
business is seasonal in nature, with the third quarter of each year typically
having the lowest sales and the fourth quarter of each year typically having
the highest sales. Quarterly results of operations for any particular quarter
may not be indicative of results of operations for future periods. There can
be no assurance that future seasonal and quarterly fluctuations will not
adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
  Uncertainty Relating to Third-Party Reimbursement for Costs of
Products. Demand for the Company's products is likely to depend in part on the
extent to which reimbursement for the cost of such products and the procedures
in which such products are used will be available from government third-party
payors (including the Medicare and Medicaid programs), government health
administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations.
These third-party payors may deny coverage if they determine that a procedure
was not reasonable or necessary as determined by the payor, was experimental
or was used for an unapproved indication. In addition, certain health care
providers are moving towards a managed care system in which such providers
contract to provide comprehensive health care for a fixed cost per person,
irrespective of the amount of care actually provided. Such providers, in an
effort to control health care costs, are increasingly challenging the prices
charged for medical products and services and, in some instances, have
pressured medical suppliers to lower their prices. Although the Company
believes that the development of procedure-specific instrumentation for use in
less-traumatic procedures may in certain cases reduce overall operating time
and therefore reduce the aggregate cost of those procedures, there can be no
assurance that the development of such products will have this effect or that
third-party payors will reimburse the costs of such instrumentation. In
addition, although the Company does not depend upon reimbursement from third-
party payors with respect to its products used in surgical cosmetic
procedures, there can be no assurance these procedures will not become subject
to third-party reimbursement in the future. The Company is unable to predict
what changes will be made in the reimbursement methods utilized by third-party
health care payors. Furthermore, the Company could be adversely affected by
changes in reimbursement policies of governmental or private health care
payors, particularly to the extent any such changes affect reimbursement for
procedures in which the Company's products are used. If coverage and adequate
reimbursement levels are not provided by government or third-party payors for
use of the Company's products, the Company's business, financial condition and
ability to market its technologies or products will be adversely affected.
Reimbursement and health care payment systems in international markets vary
significantly by country, and include both government-sponsored health care
and private insurance. To the extent that any of the Company's products are
not entitled to reimbursement in an international market, market acceptance of
such products in such international market would be adversely affected. See
"Business--Third-Party Reimbursement."
 
  Uncertainty of Effect of Potential Health Care Reform Measures. Federal,
state and local officials and legislators (and certain foreign government
officials and legislators) have proposed or are reportedly considering
proposing a variety of reforms to the health care systems in the U.S. and
abroad. The Company cannot predict what health care reform legislation, if
any, will be enacted in the U.S. or elsewhere. Significant changes in the
health care system in the U.S. or elsewhere are likely to have a substantial
impact over time on the manner in which the Company conducts its business.
Such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  Extensive Government Regulation. The Company's products, product development
activities, promotional and marketing activities and manufacturing processes
are subject to extensive and rigorous regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (the "FDA") and comparable agencies in foreign countries. In
the U.S., the FDA regulates the interstate commerce of medical devices as well
as the manufacturing, labeling, promotion and recordkeeping procedures for
such devices. In order for the Company to market its products in the U.S., the
Company must obtain marketing clearance from the FDA through what is known as
a 510(k) pre-market notification or obtain approval through a more detailed
application process resulting in what is known as pre-market approval ("PMA").
The process of obtaining marketing clearance for new medical devices from the
FDA can be costly and time consuming, and there can be no assurance that such
clearance will be granted for the Company's future products on a timely basis,
if at all, or that FDA review will not involve delays that will adversely
affect the Company's ability to commercialize additional products or expand
permitted uses of existing products.
 
  Even if regulatory clearance to market a device is obtained from the FDA,
the clearance may entail limitations on the indicated uses of the device. The
clearance can also be withdrawn by the FDA due to the failure to comply with
regulatory standards or the occurrence of unforeseen problems following
initial clearance. The Company may be required to make further filings with
the FDA under certain circumstances such as the addition of new product
claims. The FDA could also limit or prevent the manufacture or distribution of
the Company's products and has the power to seize or require the recall of
such products. The Company has made modifications to its 510(k) cleared
devices which the Company believes do not require submission of new 510(k)s.
There can be no assurance, however, that the FDA will agree with any of the
Company's determinations and will not require the Company to submit new
510(k)s for any of the changes made to the devices and/or to stop marketing
until new 510(k)s are cleared by the FDA.
 
  All of the products currently marketed by the Company either have received
marketing clearance pursuant to 510(k) pre-market notifications or PMA
applications filed by the Company and cleared by the FDA, or are exempt from
obtaining marketing clearance by virtue of their status as pre-amendment
devices (i.e. devices introduced into interstate commerce prior to May 28,
1976). A 510(k) pre-market notification requires the manufacturer of a medical
device to establish that the device is "substantially equivalent" to medical
devices legally marketed in the U.S. For future products, there can be no
assurance that the FDA will concur in the Company's 510(k) request for
clearance or that the FDA will not require the Company to file PMA
applications. The process of obtaining a PMA can be expensive, uncertain and
lengthy, frequently requiring anywhere from one to several years from the date
of submission, if approval is obtained at all. Significant delay or cost in
obtaining, or failure to obtain FDA clearance to market products, or any FDA
limitations on the use of the Company's products, could have a material
adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations
of the Company.
 
  In addition, the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practice ("GMP") regulations, as
set forth in the FDA's Quality System Regulation, must be adhered to with
respect to all of the products manufactured by the Company and its contract
manufacturers. Ongoing compliance with GMP and other applicable regulatory
requirements is monitored through periodic inspection by state and federal
agencies, including the FDA. The FDA may inspect the Company and its
facilities from time to time to determine whether the Company is in compliance
with regulations relating to medical device manufacturing companies, including
regulations concerning manufacturing, testing, quality control, record keeping
and product labeling practices.
 
  FDA regulations depend heavily on administrative interpretation, and there
can be no assurance that future interpretations made by the FDA or other
regulatory bodies, with possible retroactive effect, will not adversely affect
the Company. In addition, changes in the existing regulations or adoption of
new governmental regulations or policies could prevent or delay regulatory
approval of the Company's products.
 
  Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could result in,
among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions, civil penalties,
recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production,
refusal of the government to grant pre-market clearance or pre-market approval
for devices, withdrawal of
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
approvals and criminal prosecution. Any of the actions could result in adverse
publicity for the Company and could damage the Company's reputation.
 
  A portion of the Company's revenue is dependent upon sales of its products
outside the U.S. Foreign regulatory bodies have established regulations
governing product standards, packaging requirements, labeling requirements,
import restrictions, tariff regulations, duties and tax requirements. After
June 1998, medical devices may not be sold in European Union ("EU") countries
unless they display the CE mark, an international symbol of adherence to
quality assurance standards and compliance with applicable European medical
device directives. In order to obtain the right to affix the CE mark to its
products, the Company must obtain and maintain certification that its
processes meet European quality standards, including certification that its
design and manufacturing facility complies with ISO 9001 standards. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain CE mark certification
for its new products. The inability or failure of the Company or its
international distributors to comply with varying foreign regulations or the
imposition of new regulations could result in the restriction or, in certain
countries, the prohibition of the sale of the Company's products
internationally and thereby adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business--Government Regulation."
 
  Uncertainty Regarding Patents and Proprietary Rights. The Company's success
will depend in part on its ability to develop patentable products, obtain
patent protection for its products both in the U.S. and in other countries and
enforce its patents. However, the patent positions of medical device companies
are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. No
assurance can be given that patents will issue from any patent applications
owned by or licensed to the Company or that, if patents do issue, the claims
allowed will be sufficiently broad to protect the Company's technology. In
addition, no assurance can be given that any issued patents owned by or
licensed to the Company will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented,
or that the rights granted thereunder will provide competitive advantages to
the Company. The enforceability of patents issued with respect to biomedical
products can be highly uncertain. Federal court decisions establishing legal
standards for determining the validity and scope of patents are in transition.
There can be no assurance that the historical legal standard surrounding
questions of validity and scope will continue to be applied or that current
defenses as to issued patents in the field will offer protection in the
future. The Company also relies on unpatented trade secrets to protect its
proprietary technology, and no assurance can be given that others will not
independently develop or otherwise acquire substantially equivalent techniques
or otherwise gain access to the Company's proprietary technology or that the
Company can ultimately protect meaningful rights to such unpatented
proprietary technology.
 
  The commercial success of the Company will also depend in part on its
neither infringing patents issued to others, nor breaching any licenses upon
which its products might be based. The Company's licenses of patents and
patent applications impose various commercialization, sublicensing, insurance,
royalty and other obligations on the Company. Failure of the Company to comply
with these requirements could result in termination of the licenses or
conversion of the licenses from being exclusive to nonexclusive in nature.
 
  The medical device industry has been characterized by extensive litigation
regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. Litigation, which
would likely result in substantial cost to the Company, may be necessary to
enforce any patents issued or licensed to the Company and/or to determine the
scope and validity of others' proprietary rights. In particular, competitors
of the Company and other third parties hold issued patents and are assumed by
the Company to hold pending patent applications, which may result in claims or
infringement against the Company or other patent litigation. The Company also
may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office, which could result in substantial cost to the
Company, to determine the priority of inventions. Furthermore, the Company may
have to participate at substantial cost in International Trade Commission
proceedings to abate importation of products which would compete unfairly with
products of the Company.
 
  The Company relies on confidentiality agreements with its collaborators,
employees, advisors, vendors and consultants. There can be no assurance that
these agreements will not be breached, that the Company would have
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
adequate remedies for any breach or that the Company's trade secrets will not
otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors. Failure
to obtain or maintain patent and trade secret protection, for any reason,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business--Patents, Trade Secrets and
Proprietary Rights."
 
  Dependence upon Key Suppliers. Although the Company believes that there are
a number of possible vendors for most of the components and subassemblies
required for its products, certain materials, including thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE)-based materials and certain fluoropolymers used in certain of
its ventilation tubes, currently are obtained from a single source. Although
it is not presently the case, if the supply of materials from a single source
vendor were interrupted, replacement or alternative sources might not be
readily obtainable due to the regulatory requirements that the Company certify
as to the quality and suitability of the new or alternate material. In
addition, a new or supplemental filing with the FDA would be required to be
approved prior to the Company's marketing a product containing new material.
This approval process may take a substantial period of time, and there is no
assurance that the Company would be able to identify, certify or obtain the
necessary regulatory approval for the new material to be used in the Company's
products. In addition, certain suppliers could terminate or limit the sales of
certain materials to the Company for use in medical devices in an attempt to
limit their potential exposure to product liability claims. See "Business--
Suppliers."
 
  Product Liability Risk; Limited Insurance Coverage. The manufacture and sale
of medical instrumentation entail significant risk of product liability claims
in the event that the use of such instrumentation is alleged to have resulted
in adverse effects on a patient. The Company has taken and will continue to
take what it believes are appropriate precautions, including maintaining
general liability and commercial liability insurance policies which include
coverage for product liability claims. There can be no assurance that the
Company's existing insurance coverage limits are adequate to protect the
Company from any liabilities it might incur in connection with the sale of its
products. In addition, the Company may require, or desire to obtain, increased
product liability coverage in the future. Product liability insurance is
expensive and in the future may not be available on acceptable terms, if at
all. A successful product liability claim or series of claims brought against
the Company in excess of its insurance coverage could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. Additionally, it is possible that adverse product liability
actions could negatively affect the Company's ability to obtain and maintain
regulatory approval for its products, as well as damage the Company's
reputation in any or all of the markets in which it participates. See
"Business--Product Liability and Insurance."
 
  Environmental Matters. The past and present business operations of the
Company and the past and present ownership and operations of real property by
the Company are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, and local
environmental laws and regulations. The Company believes it is in material
compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations. The Company cannot
predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the
future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or
interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist. Compliance
with more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretations of
existing laws may require additional expenditures by the Company, some of
which may be material.
 
  Influence by Existing Stockholders. Following the consummation of this
offering, Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. ("WP Investors") will beneficially
own approximately 33.9% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock. A
stockholders agreement among the Company, WP Investors and certain other
stockholders provides that WP Investors has the right to designate specified
numbers of persons to the Company's Board of Directors so long as WP Investors
maintains specified levels of ownership of the outstanding Common Stock. WP
Investors currently has the right under the stockholders agreement to
designate three persons to be appointed or nominated to the Company's Board of
Directors. Following the consummation of this offering, WP Investors will have
the right under the stockholders agreement to designate two such persons. Such
share ownership and minority representation on the Company's Board of
Directors may confer upon WP Investors significant influence over the affairs
and actions of the Company.
 
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  Shares Eligible for Future Sale. No prediction can be made as to the effect,
if any, that future sales of Common Stock, or the availability of Common Stock
for future sale, will have on the market price of the Common Stock prevailing
from time to time. Public or private sales of substantial amounts of the
Common Stock following this offering, or the perception that such sales could
occur, could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock as well as
the ability of the Company to raise additional capital in the public equity
markets at a desirable time and price. Upon completion of this offering, the
Company expects to have 7,955,749 shares of Common Stock outstanding, assuming
no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. Of these shares, the
1,300,000 shares of Common Stock sold in this offering will be freely
tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), except for any such shares which may be acquired by an
"affiliate" of the Company as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, which shares will be subject to the resale limitations of Rule
144. After this offering, holders of 3,089,686 shares of Common Stock will
have certain rights with respect to the registration of such shares under the
Securities Act. See "Description of Capital Stock--Registration Rights." The
Company may also provide for the registration of shares currently held or
acquired in the future by employees pursuant to compensation arrangements,
thereby permitting such shares to be sold in the public market from time to
time.
 
  Anti-takeover Considerations. The Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation authorizes the issuance of Preferred Stock without stockholder
approval upon such terms as the Board of Directors may determine. The issuance
of Preferred Stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a
third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring or
making a proposal to acquire, a majority of the outstanding stock of the
Company and could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the Common
Stock. The rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may
be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock that
may be issued in the future. The Company has no present plans to issue any
shares of Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company is subject to the
provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could
prohibit or delay a merger, takeover or other change in control of the Company
and therefore discourage attempts to acquire the Company.
 
  Absence of Dividends on the Common Stock. The Company does not anticipate
paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. See
"Dividend Policy."
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 612,500 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company at an assumed public offering price of
$28.375 per share (the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on May 22,
1998) are estimated to be approximately $15.8 million ($18.4 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting
estimated underwriting discounts and expenses. The Company intends to use the
net proceeds for business development and expansion, working capital and other
general corporate purposes. A portion of the net proceeds may also be used for
the acquisition of businesses, products and technologies that are
complementary to those of the Company. Pending such uses, the Company intends
to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing
securities.
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the 687,500
shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. See "Principal and Selling
Stockholders."
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock. The Company
currently intends to retain any earnings to fund its business and therefore
does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In
addition, the Company's existing credit agreement restricts the Company's
ability to pay dividends to its stockholders, and it is anticipated that
future financing agreements will contain similar restrictions. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
  The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"XOMD." The Common Stock began trading on October 11, 1996. The following
tables sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low intra-day sale
prices of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    HIGH   LOW
                                                                   ------ ------
<S>                                                                <C>    <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
Fourth Quarter.................................................... $27.25 $18.00
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
First Quarter.....................................................  20.00  11.75
Second Quarter....................................................  20.13  15.25
Third Quarter.....................................................  24.63  18.63
Fourth Quarter....................................................  24.00  19.75
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
First Quarter.....................................................  29.38  21.00
Second Quarter (through May 22, 1998).............................  30.00  26.00
</TABLE>
 
  On May 22, 1998, the last reported sale price was $28.375 per share. As of
May 15, 1998, there were approximately 60 record holders of the Common Stock.
The Company has approximately 600 beneficial holders of the Common Stock.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth as of March 28, 1998: (i) the capitalization
of the Company; and (ii) the capitalization of the Company as adjusted for the
sale by the Company of the 612,500 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an
assumed offering price of $28.375 per share (the last reported sale price of
the Common Stock on May 22, 1998).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            MARCH 28, 1998
                                                        -----------------------
                                                                        AS
                                                          ACTUAL     ADJUSTED
                                                        ----------  -----------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                             SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
Long-term debt:
  Revolving credit facility............................ $      --          --
Shareholders' equity:
  Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares
   authorized; 7,342,524 shares issued and outstanding
   actual, 7,955,749 shares issued and outstanding as
   adjusted (1)........................................         73          79
  Non-Voting Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 4,000,000
   shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
   actual and as adjusted (2)..........................        --          --
  Accumulated deficit..................................     (1,734)     (1,734)
  Additional paid-in capital...........................     90,331     106,105
  Cumulative translation adjustments...................       (142)       (142)
  Deferred stock compensation..........................       (253)       (253)
                                                        ----------  ----------
    Total shareholders' equity.........................     88,275     104,055
                                                        ----------  ----------
      Total capitalization.............................    $88,275     104,055
                                                        ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Excludes 835,891 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
    outstanding stock options having a weighted average exercise price of
    $17.05 per share.
(2) On May 21, 1998, the Company's stockholders approved the elimination of
    the Non-Voting Common Stock from the Company's authorized capital stock.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data,
which should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The
Company, prior to April 15, 1994, consisted solely of Merocel Corporation. The
selected consolidated financial data for all years presented has been derived
from the Company's audited financial statements, which have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent auditors. The selected financial
data presented below as of and for the three months ended March 29, 1997 and
March 28, 1998 has been derived from the Company's unaudited financial
statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements
have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and
include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations
as of such dates and for such periods.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                          -------------------------------------------  -------------------
                                                                       MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                           1993    1994(1)   1995     1996     1997      1997      1998
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------- ---------
                                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
 Sales, net.............  $10,071  $42,475  $59,865  $65,664  $77,240   $17,804   $20,682
 Cost of sales..........    2,876   15,350   22,256   25,926   30,475     7,160     8,063
 Amortization of
  acquisition costs
  allocated to
  inventory.............      --     3,883      919      --       --        --        --
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
 Gross profit...........    7,195   23,242   36,690   39,738   46,765    10,644    12,619
 Operating expenses:
 Selling, general and
  administrative........    6,074   19,126   27,077   26,799   30,334     7,253     8,085
 Research and
  development...........      311    1,958    2,405    3,659    4,088     1,006     1,170
 Amortization of
  intangibles(2)........      394    2,652    2,579    2,421    2,374       615       584
 Write-off of acquired
  research and
  development(3)........      --       --       --     2,380      --        --        --
 Restructuring
  charges(4)............      --       --       --     3,093      --        --        --
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
  Total operating
   expenses.............    6,779   23,736   32,061   38,352   36,796     8,874     9,839
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
 Operating income (loss)
  from continuing
  operations............      416     (494)   4,629    1,386    9,969     1,770     2,780
 Interest income
  (expense), net........     (102)  (2,148)  (3,063)  (2,205)    (104)      (54)       30
 Other income, net......       26      313      114      525      234        92        40
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income tax
  expense (benefit).....      340   (2,329)   1,680     (294)  10,099     1,808     2,850
 Income tax expense
  (benefit).............      121     (774)   1,355      873    3,969       721     1,125
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------   -------   -------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing
  operations............  $   219  $(1,555) $   325  $(1,167) $ 6,130   $ 1,087   $ 1,725
                          =======  =======  =======  =======  =======   =======   =======
PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF
 OPERATIONS DATA(5):
 Income (loss) from
  continuing
  operations............                    $  (149) $(1,243)
 Preferred stock
  dividends.............                        --     1,170
                                            -------  -------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  available to common
  shareholders..........                    $  (149) $(2,413)
                                            =======  =======
 Per Share (Pro Forma
  1995 and 1996)(5):
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  available to common
  shareholders..........                    $ (0.03) $ (0.47) $  0.84   $  0.15   $  0.23
                                            =======  =======  =======   =======   =======
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  available to common
  shareholders--
  diluted...............                    $ (0.03) $ (0.46) $  0.82   $  0.15   $  0.23
                                            =======  =======  =======   =======   =======
 Weighted average common
  shares outstanding....                      4,474    5,105    7,323     7,289     7,342
                                            =======  =======  =======   =======   =======
 Weighted average common
  shares outstanding--
  diluted...............                      4,617    5,243    7,512     7,438     7,632
                                            =======  =======  =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------------------------------- MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                          1993     1994      1995     1996    1997     1997      1998
                         -------  -------  --------  ------- ------- --------- ---------
                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital........ $ 3,126  $12,744  $ 12,234  $18,460 $26,106  $20,562   $27,736
 Cost in excess of net
  assets acquired, net..     --    54,300    46,381   44,389  42,399   43,892    41,901
 Total assets...........   9,484   95,720    93,123   94,056  95,727   93,966    98,773
 Long-term debt
  including redeemable
  preferred stock.......  11,308   89,985    90,488    3,563     --     2,975       --
 Total shareholders'
  equity (deficit)......  (3,091)  (7,336)  (13,058)  79,567  86,509   81,843    88,275
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Statement of Operations Data includes the results of operations of Xomed-
    Treace, Inc. since the date of its acquisition by the Company in April
    1994.
(2) Amortization of intangibles included in total operating expenses includes
    amortization of foreign distribution rights of $838,000 and $162,000 for
    the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
(3) Research and development acquired in the purchase of TreBay. See Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements--Note 1.
(4) Restructuring charge related to the combination of certain operations and
    termination of employees. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--
    Note 7.
(5) The pro forma presentations have been adjusted to reflect: (i) the
    acquisition of TreBay as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1,
    1995 (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--Note 18); (ii) the
    capital contribution of accrued cumulative preferred stock dividends of
    $7,559,000 in connection with the acquisition of TreBay; (iii) the
    conversion of all Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B
    Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding as of April 16, 1996 into Common
    Stock; (iv) the exercise of all options outstanding during 1995 and 1996
    to purchase Common Stock; (v) the conversion of 60,225 shares of Series C
    Redeemable Preferred Stock into 300,354 shares of Common Stock on the date
    of the initial public offering; and (vi) the conversion of 426,777 shares
    of Non-Voting Common Stock into Common Stock.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
               OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors."
 
OVERVIEW
 
  The Company is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad
line of surgical products for use by ENT specialists. The Company's broad line
of products includes, in its core ENT market, powered tissue-removal systems
and other microendoscopy instruments, implantable devices, nerve monitoring
systems and disposable fluid-control products. The Company also offers a line
of ophthalmic and other products. The Company distributes its products
worldwide through an 82-person direct sales organization in the U.S. and
selected other countries and through a network of over 130 independent
distributors.
 
 BACKGROUND
 
  The business of Xomed, Inc. was established in 1970 to manufacture and
distribute ventilation tube implants for the middle ear. In 1979, the business
was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ("Bristol-Myers Squibb"). In
1989, Bristol-Myers Squibb acquired Treace Medical, Inc. and merged the two
companies together forming Xomed-Treace, Inc. On April 15, 1994, Bristol-Myers
Squibb sold Xomed-Treace, Inc. to the Company for a purchase price of
approximately $81.0 million (the "Xomed Acquisition"). The Company is a
Delaware corporation formerly known as Merocel/Xomed Holdings, Inc., which was
organized for the purpose of acquiring all of the outstanding stock of Merocel
Corporation ("Merocel"), Xomed-Treace, Inc. and Xomed-Treace, P.R. Inc.
(collectively, "Xomed-Treace"). Merocel, which was formed in 1970,
manufactures and markets a line of disposable fluid-control products primarily
used in sinus surgery and rhinology. The Company, prior to April 15, 1994,
consisted solely of Merocel.
 
  In July 1995, the Company sold its surgical drapes segment to an unrelated
party and simultaneously acquired from this party several otology product
lines. In April 1996, the Company acquired TreBay, a microendoscopy products
company. The senior management of TreBay, including James T. Treace, F. Barry
Bays and Thomas E. Timbie, assumed senior management positions at the Company
at the time of the Company's acquisition of TreBay.
 
 XOMED ACQUISITION
 
  The Xomed Acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price of approximately $81.0 million was
allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their
respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase
price over the fair market value of the net assets at the date of acquisition
of approximately $56.0 million was allocated to goodwill. Of this amount,
$49.9 million related to continuing operations and $6.1 million related to the
surgical drapes segment which was sold in July 1995 and has been presented as
discontinued operations. As a result, amortization of intangibles (over a 25-
year life) has been significantly increased. Further, the value of inventory
of continuing operations was increased by $4.8 million and was charged to cost
of goods sold for the 1994 period following the Xomed Acquisition ($3.9
million) and the first quarter of 1995 ($0.9 million) (the "Inventory
Valuation Adjustment"). These costs reduced gross profit in these periods.
Other intangible assets relating to foreign distribution rights were valued in
connection with the Xomed Acquisition and, as a result, amortization of
intangibles was increased by $0.8 million for the 1994 period following the
Xomed Acquisition and $0.2 million for the first quarter of 1995 (the
"International Distribution Rights Amortization"). In addition, interest
expense increased due to the increased borrowings to finance the Xomed
Acquisition.
 
  The Xomed Acquisition and the Company's initial working capital were funded
primarily through the issuance of $43.5 million of preferred stock and from
the incurrence of approximately $45.9 million in long-term debt. In connection
with the Xomed Acquisition, management implemented a restructuring plan for
Xomed-Treace that included closing certain manufacturing operations in Puerto
Rico and eliminating certain overhead in other facilities.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
 CHANGE IN DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
 
  On January 1, 1996, the Company effected two changes in its product
distribution to focus the Company's resources on its core product lines of
sinus and rhinology, head and neck and otology. The first involved changing
from distributing its ophthalmic product line through its direct sales force
to distributing this line through an independent dealer network. As a result
of this change, the Company's net sales were approximately $2.1 million lower
in 1996 than they would have been if the ophthalmic product line had continued
to be distributed through the Company's direct sales force.
 
  The second change involved moving the distribution of the Company's Merocel
fluid-control products from an independent dealer network to the Company's
U.S. direct sales force. As a result of this change, the Company's net sales
were approximately $1.2 million higher in 1996 than they would have been if
the Merocel product line had continued to be distributed through independent
dealers.
 
 ACQUISITION OF TREBAY
 
  The Company's acquisition of TreBay in April 1996 was accounted for under
the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price of
approximately $6.6 million was allocated to the individual assets acquired and
liabilities assumed, based upon their respective fair values at the date of
acquisition. The transaction resulted in cost in excess of net assets acquired
of $4.4 million, of which $2.4 million was allocated to in-process research
and development and charged to expense in the second quarter of 1996. The in-
process research and development was valued based upon an independent
valuation utilizing management's projections of cash flows and cost to achieve
technological feasibility of the products.
 
 RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
 
  During the second quarter of 1996, the Company's new management team
initiated cost savings programs that resulted in the reduction of 50 employees
at the Company's three domestic locations. The reductions included 20
managerial and administrative employees at the Company's Mystic, Connecticut
manufacturing facility, 17 managerial and administrative employees at the
Company's Jacksonville, Florida headquarters and 13 managerial and production
employees at the Company's St. Louis, Missouri manufacturing facility that was
closed in December 1996. The restructuring eliminated redundant overhead at
the sites, and the Company expects these actions to yield cost savings
primarily in general and administrative expense. The Company incurred a
restructuring charge of approximately $3.1 million during the second quarter
of 1996 primarily to reflect the cost of the severance payments to terminated
employees. Most of the affected employees were terminated in the second
quarter of 1996 with severance beginning at that time. Through December 31,
1997, the Company had completed its cost savings programs, had paid out
severance costs to its terminated employees totaling approximately $2.5
million and had incurred approximately $500,000 in other exit costs. See Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements--Note 7.
 
 INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
  In October 1996, the Company completed its initial public stock offering,
raising proceeds of approximately $54.0 million through the sale of 2,875,000
shares of Common Stock. The net proceeds from the initial public offering were
used to repay the Company's term loan totaling $20.8 million including
interest, repay $8.2 million under its revolving line of credit and redeem
$25.0 million of its Redeemable Preferred Stock.
 
 OTHER RECENT EVENTS
 
  In December 1996, the Company appointed Kobayashi Japan as its exclusive
distributor of its full line of products within Japan. In February 1997, the
Company introduced the XPS StraightShot micro resector system used in
endoscopic sinus procedures. In July and August of 1997, the Company
introduced a number of new procedure specific curved micro resector blades
including the RAD 40 curved sinus blade, the RADenoid curved adenoid blade and
the RAD airway laryngeal blade. In October 1997, the Company became the
exclusive
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
distributor of articulating hand-held instruments (the Navigator line) and
micro resector blades for the ENT market and all areas of the orthopaedic
market except spine. The Company also entered into a distribution agreement
with the manufacturer of the Navigator granting that company exclusive
distribution rights for the Company's XPS StraightShot micro resector system
into the spine market. In December 1997, the Company introduced the XPS 2000
StraightShot(R) micro resector system which includes enhancements from the
original XPS StraightShot system.
 
 SEASONALITY
 
  The Company's sales and operating results have varied, and are expected to
continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of seasonal
patterns. The Company believes that its business is seasonal in nature, with
the third quarter of each year typically having the lowest sales and the
fourth quarter of each year typically having the highest sales. There can be
no assurance that future seasonal fluctuations will not adversely affect the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain items of
the Company's statements of operations as a percentage of the Company's net
sales:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEARS ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,       THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                       -------------------  -------------------
                                                            MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                                       1995   1996   1997     1997      1998
                                       -----  -----  -----  --------- ---------
<S>                                    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>       <C>
  Net sales........................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%   100.0%    100.0%
  Cost of sales.......................  38.7   39.5   39.5     40.2      39.0
  Gross profit........................  61.3   60.5   60.5     59.8      61.0
  Selling, general and
   administrative.....................  45.2   40.8   39.3     40.7      39.1
  Amortization of intangibles.........   4.3    3.7    3.1      3.5       2.8
  Research and development............   4.0    5.6    5.3      5.7       5.7
  Operating income from continuing
   operations.........................   7.7    2.1   12.9      9.9      13.4
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations.........................   0.5   (1.8)   7.9      6.1       8.3
</TABLE>
 
SALES COMPOSITION
 
 SALES BY MARKET
 
  The Company derives sales from various markets within the ENT industry.
Sinus and rhinology, head and neck and otology are the three core markets in
which the Company operates. In addition to products for these markets, the
Company has other product offerings, including a line of ophthalmic products,
which the Company converted in January 1996 from distributing through its
direct sales force to distributing through independent dealers. The following
table summarizes the Company's worldwide product line sales during the periods
indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                  -------------------------- -------------------
                                                             MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                                    1995     1996     1997     1997      1998
                                  -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                               <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
SALES:
  Sinus and rhinology............ $ 17,038 $ 22,247 $ 28,848  $ 6,270   $ 8,481
  Head and neck..................   14,187   16,114   17,847    3,619     4,552
  Otology........................   12,406   13,841   14,465    3,862     4,132
                                  -------- -------- --------  -------   -------
    Total core business..........   43,631   52,202   61,160   13,751    17,165
  Ophthalmic and other...........   16,234   13,462   16,080    4,053     3,517
                                  -------- -------- --------  -------   -------
    Total........................ $ 59,865 $ 65,664 $ 77,240  $17,804   $20,682
                                  ======== ======== ========  =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                               ----------------------------  -------------------
                                                             MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                                 1995      1996      1997      1997      1998
                               --------  --------  --------  --------- ---------
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
PERCENTAGE OF SALES:
  Sinus and rhinology.........     28.5%     33.9%     37.4%    35.2%     41.0%
  Head and neck...............     23.7      24.5      23.1     20.3      22.0
  Otology.....................     20.7      21.1      18.7     21.7      20.0
                               --------  --------  --------    -----     -----
    Total core business.......     72.9%     79.5%     79.2%    77.2%     83.0%
  Ophthalmic and other........     27.1      20.5      20.8     22.8      17.0
                               --------  --------  --------    -----     -----
    Total.....................    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%   100.0%    100.0%
                               ========  ========  ========    =====     =====
</TABLE>
 
 SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC MARKET
 
  The Company distributes its products worldwide through an 82-person direct
sales force in the U.S. and selected other countries and through a network of
over 130 independent distributors. The Company's core ENT products are sold in
the U.S. on a direct sales basis only.
 
  Approximately 29.4%, 32.0% and 30.3% of the Company's net sales in 1995,
1996 and 1997, respectively, were made outside the U.S. through direct
operations in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Australia, as
well as through over 100 independent international distributors, many of whom
distribute the Company's products exclusively. The portion of sales made
outside the U.S. in 1997 and in the first quarter of 1998 was lower than in
1996 primarily due to international markets only having six months of sales
from the Company's new XPS system compared with the twelve months in the U.S.
(due to a later international introduction date) as well as to the unfavorable
effects of foreign currency rate comparisons in international markets in 1997.
The following table summarizes the Company's U.S. and international sales for
the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                               ----------------------------  -------------------
                                                             MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                                 1995      1996      1997      1997      1998
                               --------  --------  --------  --------- ---------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
SALES:
  U.S......................... $ 42,249  $ 44,647  $ 53,798   $12,311   $14,655
  International...............   17,616    21,017    23,442     5,493     6,027
                               --------  --------  --------   -------   -------
    Total..................... $ 59,865  $ 65,664  $ 77,240   $17,804   $20,682
                               ========  ========  ========   =======   =======
PERCENTAGE OF SALES:
  U.S.........................     70.6%     68.0%     69.7%     69.1%     70.9%
  International...............     29.4      32.0      30.3      30.9      29.1
                               --------  --------  --------   -------   -------
    Total.....................    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
                               ========  ========  ========   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
 SALES BY PRODUCT TYPE
 
  The Company places particular emphasis on disposable products and
implantable devices. One of the Company's principal goals is to continue to
develop additional disposable products for use with its instrumentation
systems. The portion of sales from disposable and implantable products was
lower in 1997 than 1996 primarily due to the introduction of new orthopaedic
instrument sales in 1997 and the initial introduction of the XPS system. The
XPS system initially generated equipment sales followed by on-going disposable
revenues in later periods. The following table summarizes the Company's sales
of equipment and instrumentation products as well as disposable and
implantable products for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                              ----------------------------  -------------------
                                                            MARCH 29, MARCH 28,
                                1995      1996      1997      1997      1998
                              --------  --------  --------  --------- ---------
                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
SALES:
  Equipment
   and instrumentation
   products.................. $  9,396  $ 10,178  $ 15,768   $14,752   $16,849
  Disposable and implantable
   products..................   50,469    55,486    61,472     3,052     3,833
                              --------  --------  --------   -------   -------
    Total.................... $ 59,865  $ 65,664  $ 77,240   $17,804   $20,682
                              ========  ========  ========   =======   =======
PERCENTAGE OF SALES:
  Equipment and
   instrumentation products..     15.7%     15.5%     20.4%     17.1%     18.5%
  Disposable and implantable
   products..................     84.3      84.5      79.6      82.9      81.5
                              --------  --------  --------   -------   -------
    Total....................    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
                              ========  ========  ========   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 28, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29,
1997
 
  Net Sales. Net sales increased 16.2% to $20.7 million in the first three
months of 1998 from $17.8 million in the comparable period in 1997. In the
core business of sinus and rhinology, head and neck and otology, sales
increased 24.8% over the prior comparable period. The increase in core
business sales was primarily the result of sales generated from several new
products introduced principally over the last 15 months, including within
sinus and rhinology, the XPS tissue removal system and within head and neck,
the NIM-2(R) XL nerve monitoring system and the Company's Powerforma surgical
drill system. Sinus and rhinology and head and neck sales were up 35.3% and
25.8%, respectively, in the first quarter of 1998 over the prior comparable
period. Sales in the ophthalmic and other category decreased 13.2% primarily
due to an approximate $500,000 decrease in sales of orthopaedic instruments in
the first quarter of 1998 over the prior comparable period which included a
large initial stocking order to an OEM distributor. Sales of these orthopaedic
instruments to this distributor are expected to resume during the second half
of 1998. Domestic sales in the core businesses of sinus and rhinology, head
and neck and otology increased 27.6% and international sales in such core
businesses increased 18.5% in the first three months of 1998 over the prior
comparable period. Total international sales increased 9.7% for the quarter or
14.0% excluding the unfavorable effects of foreign currency comparisons. The
Company experienced reduced sales during the quarter in the Asia/Pacific
region where sales decreased 21% from the prior year's first quarter primarily
due to adverse economic conditions. Strong product sales, however, were
reported in several European countries including the U.K. and Germany where
sales increased 45% and 70%, respectively, for the quarter. International
sales represented 29.1% of total sales for the first three months of 1998
compared to 30.9% in the comparable period of 1997.
 
  Cost of Sales and Gross Profit. Cost of sales increased 12.6% to $8.1
million, or 39.0% of sales in the first three months of 1998 from $7.2
million, or 40.2% of sales in the first three months of 1997. The decrease in
cost of goods sold as a percent of sales is primarily due to the decrease in
sales of lower margin products, such as the orthopaedic instrument line, and
partially due to a lower per unit cost that resulted from manufacturing costs
being spread over a higher volume of production. Gross profit as a percent of
sales increased to 61.0% in the first three months of 1998 from 59.8% in the
prior comparable period.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased 11.5% or $832,000 in the first three months
of 1998 from the comparable period in 1997. The increase in total
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to variable
selling and marketing costs, which comprised approximately $700,000 of the
increase. As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses
decreased to 39.1% of sales for the first three months of 1998 from 40.7% in
the comparable period of 1997.
 
  Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased 16.3%
to $1.2 million in the first three months of 1998 from $1.0 million in the
comparable period of 1997, and as a percent of sales was 5.7% for the 1998 and
1997 periods.
 
  Amortization. Amortization expense in the first three months of 1998 and
1997 related principally to approximately $49.9 million of goodwill related to
continuing operations generated from the Xomed Acquisition in April 1994,
which is being amortized over 25 years.
 
  Interest and Other. Interest income (expense), net in the first quarter of
1998 reflected income of $30,000 as compared to expense of $54,000 in the
comparable quarter of 1997 due to having an average invested amount of
approximately $3.0 million in the first quarter of 1998 as compared to
borrowing levels of approximately $3.0 million in the first quarter of 1997.
Other income was $40,000 for the first three months of 1998 compared to
$92,000 for the comparable period of 1997. Prior year other income included
income received from a third party related to a non-compete agreement
violation.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate was 39.5% for the first three
months of 1998 and 39.9% for the prior comparable period.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
  Net Sales. Net sales increased 17.6% to $77.2 million in 1997 from $65.7
million in 1996. When compared to the comparable quarters in 1996, the Company
generated sales growth in 1997 of 9.2% in the first quarter, 15.4% in the
second quarter, 17.7% in the third quarter and 27.9% in the fourth quarter.
The improvement in sales growth in each successive quarter of 1997 relates
principally to accelerating growth in the Company's sinus and rhinology
product lines as a result of the introduction of its XPS StraightShot system
and an overall improvement in the Company's international business in the
third and fourth quarters due to recent new product introductions and
improving availability of funding in certain international health care systems
in which the Company competes. In the core businesses of sinus and rhinology,
head and neck and otology, sales increased 17.2% in 1997 over 1996, which
resulted in these product lines representing 79.2% of the Company's revenue in
1997 as compared to 79.5% in 1996. Total domestic sales increased 20.5% in
1997 compared with 1996, and international sales increased 11.5% in 1997
compared with 1996. Excluding the unfavorable effects of foreign currency
comparisons, international sales in 1997 increased 15.0% from 1996.
 
  Cost of Sales. Cost of sales increased 17.5% to $30.5 million in 1997 from
$25.9 million in 1996. As a percent of sales, cost of sales was 39.5% in 1997
and 1996. Similarly, gross profit was 60.5% for both 1997 and 1996. The margin
in 1997 was adversely affected by higher volumes of lower margin products,
including the orthopaedic instrument line, which was offset by higher margins
in its sinus and rhinology business attributable to new product introduction.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased 13.2% to $30.3 million from $26.8 million in
1996. For 1997, as a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 39.3%, as compared to 40.8% in 1996. This decrease, as a percent
of sales, is due to increasing sales and the leveraging of general and
administrative expenses.
 
  Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased 11.7%
to $4.1 million in 1997 from $3.7 million in 1996 but decreased as a percent
of sales to 5.3% in 1997 from 5.6% during 1996. Major new product spending in
1997 related to straight and curved cutter blades, enhancements to the XPS
micro resector system and the introduction of the XPS 2000 StraightShot(R)
micro resector system in December 1997, as well as other projects.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
  Amortization. Amortization expense in 1997 and 1996 related principally to
approximately $49.9 million of goodwill related to continuing operations
generated from the Xomed Acquisition in April 1994, which is being amortized
over 25 years.
 
  Operating Income. Operating income for 1997 was $10.0 million compared to
$1.4 million for 1996. After adding back restructuring and write-off charges,
which occurred only in 1996, operating income for 1996 was $6.9 million. For
1997, operating income, as a percent of sales, was 12.9% compared to 10.4% for
1996. This increase as a percent of sales related to fixed amortization
expense and semi-fixed expenses within the general and administrative
category.
 
  Interest and Other. Interest expense decreased 88.3% to $280,000 for 1997
from $2.4 million in 1996 due to lower average debt levels during 1997. Other
income, net was $234,000 for 1997 compared to $525,000 in 1996. This decrease
of $291,000 related principally to the expiration of a royalty agreement in
late 1996.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate for 1997 was 39.3% and the
Company had tax expense of $873,000 on a loss of $294,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The Company incurred tax expense instead of tax benefit on
the loss in 1996 due principally to the lack of a tax benefit related to the
write-off of in-process research and development costs, described above.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  Net Sales. Net sales increased 9.7% to $65.7 million in 1996 from $59.9
million in 1995. In the core businesses of sinus and rhinology, head and neck
and otology, sales increased 19.6% in 1996 over 1995, which resulted in these
product lines representing 79.5% of the Company's revenue in 1996 as compared
to 72.9% in 1995. The increase in sales was principally the result of several
new products introduced late in 1995 and in 1996 including the Company's
Wizard and Wizard Plus(R) powered tissue-removal systems, the BOSS line of ENT
hand instruments, the Activent anti-microbial vent tube line, an otology
implant line acquired in the third quarter of 1995 and a line of facial
implant products. In addition, several existing product lines showed strong
sales growth over the prior period including the Merocel fluid-control
products and nerve monitoring systems. The increase in Merocel products sales
was due partly to price increases resulting from moving the distribution of
these products, effective on January 1, 1996, from an independent dealer
network to the Company's U.S. direct sales force. Sales in this line would
have been approximately $1.2 million lower in 1996 without this distribution
channel change. Sales were adversely affected, however, by a change in the
distribution system for the Company's ophthalmic product line. On January 1,
1996, the Company commenced distribution of its ophthalmic line through an
independent dealer network, with the Company selling to dealers at wholesale
prices. During 1995, these products were distributed through the Company's
direct sales force at retail pricing. This change was made to better focus the
direct sales force on the ENT market. Although unit volume in the ophthalmic
business grew approximately 7% during the year, net sales decreased
approximately $2.1 million in 1996 as a result of the price differential from
changing the distribution channel. Associated ophthalmic operating expenses
also declined. Sales also increased in several other product lines due to
increased penetration of international markets through recently established
direct sales sites. International sales increased 19.3% during the period and
represented 32.0% of the Company's revenue in 1996 compared to 29.4% in 1995.
 
  Cost of Sales and Gross Profit. Cost of sales increased 11.9% to $25.9
million in 1996 from $23.2 million in 1995. As a percent of sales, cost of
sales increased to 39.5% in 1996 from 38.7% in 1995. In accounting for the
Xomed Acquisition, the Company effected the Inventory Valuation Adjustment in
which a portion of the excess cost of the acquisition over book value of the
net assets acquired was allocated to inventory. This allocation resulted in an
increase in inventory value of $5.3 million, of which $4.8 million was
allocated to the inventory of continuing operations. The inventory valued on
this basis was charged to cost of sales on a FIFO basis as it was sold,
increasing cost of sales in 1995 by $0.9 million. No such adjustment affected
1996. Without this charge, cost of sales would have increased 16.5% to $25.9
million in 1996 from $22.3 million in the prior comparable period, and cost of
sales as a percent of sales would have increased to 39.5% in 1996 from 37.2%
in the prior comparable period. This increase was primarily due to the change
in the distribution method described
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
above for the ophthalmic line, which resulted in lower average selling prices.
This increase was partially offset by the change in the distribution of the
Merocel product line, which resulted in a higher average selling price. Gross
profit as a percent of sales decreased to 60.5% in 1996 from 61.3% in 1995.
Without the effects of the Inventory Valuation Adjustment discussed above,
gross profit as a percent of sales would have decreased to 60.5% in 1996 from
62.8% in the prior comparable period for the reasons discussed above.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased 1.0% to $26.8 million in 1996 from $27.1
million in 1995. This decrease was primarily due to cost savings realized as a
result of the previously discussed restructuring actions. See "--Overview."
These savings were partially offset by commissions on a larger sales base, an
increase in the average commission rate, the operating expenses of a new
direct sales subsidiary in Germany, which began operations in the first
quarter of 1996, and promotional expenses related to the Company's line of
sinus endoscopy systems. As a percent of sales, selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased to 40.8% in 1996 from 45.2% in 1995.
 
  Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased 52.1%
to $3.7 million in 1996 from $2.4 million in 1995 and increased as a percent
of sales to 5.6% from 4.0% during the prior comparable period. This increase
is primarily the result of project expenses related to the development of the
new XPS powered tissue-removal system and the Powerforma drill system.
Although it has in the past relied in part on strategic acquisitions and
licensing of third-party technology to develop its broad line of ENT products,
the Company believes it has a strong base of proprietary engineering,
manufacturing and bio-material capabilities upon which to build its future
research and development efforts.
 
  Amortization. Amortization expense in 1996 and 1995 related principally to
approximately $49.9 million of goodwill related to continuing operations
generated from the Xomed Acquisition in April 1994, which is being amortized
over 25 years.
 
  Write-off of Acquired Research and Development. The TreBay acquisition was
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the
purchase price of approximately $6.6 million was allocated to the individual
TreBay assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective
fair values at the date of acquisition. The transaction resulted in cost in
excess of net assets acquired of approximately $4.4 million, of which $2.4
million was allocated to in-process research and development and charged to
expense in the second quarter of 1996.
 
  Restructuring Charges. As noted previously under "--Overview," the Company
initiated cost savings programs and recorded a restructuring charge of
approximately $3.1 million during the second quarter of 1996 primarily to
reflect the cost of the severance payments to terminated employees.
 
  Interest and Other. Interest expense decreased to $2.4 million in 1996 from
$3.1 million in 1995. Interest expense related principally to the Company's
secured term loan (the "Term Loan") borrowings, which were repaid in October
1996 from the net proceeds of the Company's initial public offering, and the
Company's secured revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility")
as described below in "--Liquidity and Capital Resources." Other income of
$525,000 in 1996 was $411,000 higher than in 1995 related principally to
royalty income on a product licensed to a third party.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company's tax expense of $873,000 on a $294,000 loss for
the year ended December 31, 1996 varies from an effective tax rate of
approximately 40% due to the lack of tax benefit related to the write-off of
in-process research and development costs, described above. Tax expense for
the comparable period of 1995 was $1.4 million on income of $1.7 million for
an effective tax rate of 80.7%. The tax rate for 1995 was higher than 40% due
to losses recorded on a less than 80% owned subsidiary and losses incurred in
foreign subsidiaries for which a valuation account was provided on the
potential carry forward benefit.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  The Company historically has financed its operations (including capital
expenditures) through cash flows from operations. Since the Xomed Acquisition
in April 1994, which was financed in part by the incurrence of
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
$45.9 million of debt under the Term Loan and the Revolving Credit Facility,
all cash flow generated from operations has been applied to repay the
outstanding principal on the Term Loan or the Revolving Credit Facility. In
October 1996, the Company completed its initial public offering, the net
proceeds of which were used to repay the entire Term Loan and the majority of
debt outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. During 1997, the Company
paid the remaining portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and long-term
capital lease obligation totaling $3.6 million at December 31, 1996.
Consequently, interest expense has been substantially reduced.
 
  During the three months ended March 28, 1998, the Company generated cash of
$2.8 million in operating activities as compared with a use of $80,000 from
operating activities in the comparable period of 1997. In the first three
months of 1998, cash generated from inventory, accounts receivable and
accounts payable was approximately $100,000 compared to a use of $2.1 million
within these accounts in the comparable period of 1997. Increases in inventory
and accounts receivable due to growth in sales were offset by increases in
accounts payable and accrued expenses due to the timing of payments. The
Company expects that in the future, the growth in these operating assets will
outpace the growth in current liabilities and will create a demand on cash
within these accounts.
 
  Cash used in investing activities was $0.7 million in the first three months
of 1998 as compared to cash used in investing activities of $0.3 million in
the prior comparable period. Capital expenditures were $659,000 and $448,000
in the first three months of 1998 and 1997, respectively.
 
  The Company expects to spend approximately $7.0 million in 1998 on capital
acquisitions, related principally to its corporate headquarters expansion. The
corporate headquarters expansion will enable the Company to consolidate leased
warehouse and office space in Jacksonville, and provide additional office and
manufacturing space. See "Business--Properties." The Company expects to fund
this level of expenditure with cash from operations.
 
  Cash provided by financing activities was $67,000 in the first three months
of 1998 as compared with $444,000 in the comparable period of 1997. These
amounts relate principally to the exercise of stock options.
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company generated cash of $6.4
million from operating activities as compared with $4.8 million cash generated
in the prior year. In 1997, the Company had a net use of cash of approximately
$6.6 million within inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable as
compared to a net use of cash within these components of operations (after
excluding a $1.7 million non-recurring account receivable from one customer)
of approximately $3.0 million in 1996. Accounts payable and accrued expenses
comprised a significant amount of this use of cash during 1997, due to a
$900,000 decrease from December 31, 1996, related principally to payments of
amounts related to the Company's initial public offering. The balance of the
use of cash within these working capital accounts stems from the Company's
growth in sales and related increase in accounts receivable and inventories.
In addition, payments related to the $3.1 million restructuring charge
recorded during the second quarter of 1996 lowered cash flow from operations
in 1997 by $1.2 million, which was offset by a reduction of deferred tax
assets.
 
  Cash used in investing activities was $2.3 million in 1997 as compared to
cash used of $2.1 million (after eliminating the effects of cash acquired in a
business combination) in the prior year. Capital expenditures were $2.4
million in 1997 and 1996. Included in capital expenditures for 1997 was a
significant upgrade of the Company's computer system totaling approximately
$400,000. This purchase did not produce an increase over 1996 purchases due to
the purchase of capital assets in 1996 for the start-up of the Company's
subsidiary in Germany.
 
  Cash used in financing activities was $3.0 million in 1997 as compared with
$4.5 million in 1996. The Company received cash from the exercise of stock
options of $655,000 in 1997 and reduced its long-term debt during 1997 by
approximately $3.6 million. In the first nine months of 1996, the Company made
payments under the then outstanding Term Loan and its capital lease obligation
of $4.1 million, and borrowed a net $1.4 million
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
from its line of credit. In the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company completed
its initial public offering and repaid the Term Loan and the majority of the
debt outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
  In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company began hedging its intercompany
foreign currency receivables. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--
Note 6.
 
  In May 1997, the Company amended and restated the Revolving Credit Facility
to provide that the Company may borrow up to $25.0 million for working capital
needs and potential acquisitions. See Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements--Note 8.
 
  Based on the Company's ability to generate cash flow from operations and
with the availability of borrowing under its Revolving Credit Facility, the
Company believes that it will be able to finance its working capital and
expansion needs for the next 24 months.
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
 
  The Company has assessed and continues to assess the impact of the Year 2000
issue on its operations, including the development and implementation of
project plans and cost estimates required to make its information systems
infrastructure Year 2000 compliant. The Company's focus on this issue is to
ensure there is no adverse effect on business operations and that transactions
with customers, suppliers, and financial institutions are fully supported.
Additionally, the Company has initiated communications with significant
suppliers, customers and other third parties to determine their Year 2000
readiness. Furthermore, the Company has initiated a formal program to advise
customers of the Year 2000 issue; however, the Company believes it has no
material exposure to contingencies related to the Year 2000 issue for the
products it has sold. While the Company has taken these steps, there can be no
certainty that the systems and products of other companies on which the
Company relies will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations. Based on existing information, the Company believes the
anticipated spending to become Year 2000 compliant will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, cash flows or results of
operations.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Xomed is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of
surgical products for use by ENT specialists. The Company's core ENT products
include powered tissue-removal systems and other microendoscopy instruments,
implantable devices, nerve monitoring systems and disposable fluid-control
products. The Company also offers a line of ophthalmic and other products. For
the year ended December 31, 1997, Xomed derived approximately 80% of its
revenues from disposable or implantable products. The Company distributes its
products worldwide through an 82-person direct sales organization in the U.S.
and selected other countries and through a network of over 130 independent
distributors. Xomed is the only major manufacturer and marketer of ENT
surgical products with a direct U.S. sales force exclusively serving ENT
specialists. Approximately 30% of the Company's net sales was derived from
international markets for the year ended December 31, 1997. Approximately 29%
of the Company's net sales in 1997 in its core ENT product line was derived
from products introduced within the last three years. With over 25 years of
industry experience, Xomed believes that it has established a long-standing
reputation for innovative, high-quality products and is uniquely positioned as
the only major surgical products company focused on the ENT market.
 
  The ENT market is in the midst of a conversion from conventional surgical
approaches to less-traumatic approaches that involve the use of advanced
surgical tools, such as powered tissue-removal systems and small-diameter
surgical endoscopes, thereby minimizing patient trauma and reducing procedure
times. Xomed believes that the adoption of these less-traumatic techniques is
being driven by several factors, including economic pressures and patient
demand. Minimally invasive techniques have the potential to increase the
number of ENT procedures that can be performed in lower-cost outpatient or day
surgery settings. Patient demand is likely to increase due to the reduced
morbidity and improved outcomes of these less invasive ENT procedures. Xomed
believes that the conversion in the ENT market to less-traumatic approaches
will be similar to recent conversions in the general surgery market to less
invasive techniques and the orthopaedic surgery market to powered
instrumentation systems.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
  More than an estimated 20,000 ENT specialists, also known as
otorhinolaryngologists, currently practice in the U.S., Canada, Western
Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and the Middle East (collectively,
"worldwide"), with approximately 9,000 of those specialists practicing in the
U.S. ENT practitioners specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
and conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat. ENT surgeons are also
typically experts in tumor-related diseases of the head and neck.
Increasingly, ENT surgeons are expanding their practices to include facial
plastic and reconstructive surgery. Of the estimated 9,000 ENT specialists in
the U.S., approximately 3,300 currently practice facial plastic and
reconstructive surgery.
 
  Diseases and conditions addressed by ENT specialists affect sizable patient
populations. The Company estimates that ENT surgeons performed over three
million procedures in the U.S. in 1996. The following chart summarizes common
conditions currently treated by ENT surgeons and the Company's estimates of
the number of procedures performed in the U.S. in 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NUMBER OF
  ENT                                                                     PROCEDURES IN
SUBSPECIALTY  INDICATION/CONDITION          PROCEDURE                     U.S. IN 1996
- ------------  --------------------          ---------                     -------------
<S>           <C>                           <C>                           <C>
Sinus and     Chronic sinusitis (sinus      Sinus surgeries                  406,000
 rhinology      inflammation)
 (nose)
              Cosmetic reconstruction,      Septoplasty/rhinoplasty          154,000
               trauma
                or congenital defects
Head and      Chronic infection of tonsils  Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy      736,000
 neck          or adenoids
</TABLE>
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NUMBER OF
  ENT                                                                     PROCEDURES IN
SUBSPECIALTY  INDICATION/CONDITION          PROCEDURE                     U.S. IN 1996
- ------------  --------------------          ---------                     -------------
<S>           <C>                           <C>                           <C>
              Vocal cord polyps or lesions  Surgical removal                   80,000
              Acoustic neuromas or mastoid  Skull-base surgery                135,000
               infection
              Facial cosmetic augmentation  Face lifts/facial                  73,000
                                             sculpting/brow lifts
              Chronic snoring or sleep      Uvulopharyngoplasty                95,000
               disorders
Otology       Acute otitis media (middle    Myringotomy with vent tubes     1,216,000
 (ear)         ear infection)
              Conductive hearing loss       Middle ear reconstruction         155,000
                                             and other middle ear
                                             procedures
</TABLE>
 
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
 
  ENT procedures currently pose the following challenges:
 
  (i)  in many of these procedures, the target tissue is adjacent to critical
       anatomy, including the brain, sensory centers and facial motor nerves,
       limiting the surgeon's maneuverability and requiring very small,
       precise movements;
 
  (ii)  the anatomy in the region generally contains many blood vessels,
        leading to significant blood loss during surgery that may obscure the
        surgeon's vision, as well as increase patient complications, or
        morbidity;
 
  (iii)  the affected areas are often very small in size and require the
         surgeon to perform microsurgery through the use of magnifying devices
         such as small-diameter surgical endoscopes ("microendoscopy"); and
 
  (iv)  the affected areas are often behind significant bony structures,
        including the skull, the penetration of which can entail significant
        patient trauma and lengthy procedure times.
 
  Conventional hand-held surgical instruments typically used during ENT
procedures do not provide the surgeon with sufficient power or precision to
minimize trauma and blood loss during the procedure and can contribute to
unnecessary pain, swelling and scarring following the procedure. In addition,
the need to repeatedly remove and reinsert conventional hand-held
instrumentation from the surgical site during procedures can increase patient
trauma and operating time. The Company believes that the limitations of
conventional hand-held surgical instruments create a significant opportunity
for the development of instruments designed for specific ENT procedures,
including powered tissue-removal instrumentation and visualization products,
that will make these procedures easier and faster to perform and less
traumatic to the patient.
 
 
  The Company believes that the following factors will drive growth in the
market for surgical instruments, devices and supplies for ENT surgeons:
 
  Advancements in Procedure-Specific Instrumentation. The Company believes
that the introduction of new tools and instrumentation is enabling ENT
surgeons to better address the current challenges of ENT procedures. For
example, powered cutting devices adapted for use in particular surgical
procedures allow surgeons to cut and extract tissue and penetrate bone with
more speed, control and precision than conventional hand-held instruments,
thereby minimizing patient trauma and reducing procedure times. The blades for
these newly developed powered cutting devices are disposable, and thus sales
of these blades represent a significant portion of the market growth of these
devices. By providing ENT surgeons with greater access to difficult-to-reach
surgical sites and reducing trauma to the patient, new procedure-specific
instruments potentially will increase the total number of procedures
performed.
 
  Clinical and Cost Benefits for Patient, Surgeon and Payor. The Company
believes that the adoption of less-traumatic ENT procedures is being driven,
in part, by economic pressures. Due to the reduced patient morbidity
associated with less-traumatic techniques, certain procedures previously
performed in hospitals and requiring longer stays can now be performed in
lower-cost outpatient or day surgery settings. In addition, powered tissue-
removal instrumentation allows for reduced operating times.
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
  Demand from Significant Patient Populations. Sizable patient populations
suffer from conditions which can be treated by ENT surgical procedures. As
less-traumatic instrumentation and techniques become available, the portion of
these patients who will elect to undergo these procedures is likely to
increase. In particular, patient demand for endoscopic sinus surgery as well as
facial plastic surgery will, in the Company's view, increase as the pain and
morbidity associated with these procedures decrease due to better
instrumentation and techniques.
 
  Ease of Market Conversion. The Company believes that ENT surgeons are readily
adopting new devices and instrumentation designed to meet the challenges of
specific surgical procedures because of the advantages they offer over
conventional instrumentation. The Company further believes that physicians
require minimal additional training (usually two to three days) to use these
instruments. In addition to its functional advantages, powered instrumentation
should, in the Company's view, be attractive to ENT surgeons because it
requires only a relatively modest capital investment.
 
STRATEGY
 
  Xomed's objective is to enhance its leading position in the ENT market and to
enter new markets. The Company's strategy for achieving this objective is to:
 
  Increase its Penetration of the ENT Market. The Company believes that, as the
only major provider of surgical products with a direct sales force exclusively
serving the ENT surgeon, it is well positioned to participate in any growth in
the ENT surgical market. The Company intends to continue to develop and
maintain close relationships with ENT specialists from whom it has gained
significant brand recognition and loyalty. The Company believes that it
presently sells products to substantially all of the ENT specialists in the
U.S. Accordingly, the Company believes that a significant opportunity exists to
leverage these relationships with new and existing products and therefore
increase penetration of its existing customer base.
 
  Facilitate ENT Market Conversion to Less-Traumatic Approaches. The ENT market
is in the midst of a conversion to less-traumatic approaches that is similar to
recent conversions in the general surgery market to less invasive techniques
and in the orthopaedic surgery market to powered instrumentation systems. The
Company intends to facilitate conversion of high-volume ENT procedures to less-
traumatic techniques. The procedures targeted by the Company include sinus
surgery, the removal of adenoids, laryngeal procedures, face and brow lifts and
facial sculpting. As part of facilitating this conversion, the Company is
continuing its collaborative efforts with leading ENT surgeons to create
products that allow physicians to re-engineer standard operating procedures to
reduce patient trauma and operating time. The Company believes that the
continued advance in powered tissue-removal instrumentation systems for use in
ENT procedures will play a central role in this conversion and accordingly will
continue in its efforts to develop and introduce such powered instrumentation.
 
  Emphasize Product Innovation through Internal Research and Development. The
Company plans to develop new proprietary products and product enhancements
primarily through internal research and development efforts. The Company will
invest significantly in research and development in an effort to introduce
technological advancements in the ENT market.
 
  Maintain a Broad Line of ENT Products with Particular Emphasis on Disposable
and Implantable Products. The Company seeks to maintain a broad product line
that addresses all of the surgical needs of ENT specialists. The Company's
current product line consists of approximately 4,000 stock keeping units
(SKUs), including equipment, disposable products and implantable devices. The
Company places particular emphasis on disposable products and implantable
devices, which represented approximately 80% of the Company's sales in 1997.
One of the Company's principal goals is to continue to develop additional
disposable products for use with its instrumentation systems.
 
  Expand its Global Distribution Network. The Company believes that significant
growth opportunities exist through the expansion of its global distribution
network. The Company distributes its products worldwide through an 82-person
direct sales force in the U.S. and selected other countries and through a
network of over 130 independent distributors. The Company's core ENT products
are sold in the U.S. only on a direct sales basis.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
Approximately 30% of its net sales in 1997 was made outside the U.S. through
direct operations in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Australia,
as well as through over 100 independent international distributors, many of
whom distribute the Company's products exclusively.
 
  Leverage its Core Competencies to Enter New Markets. The Company intends to
enter new medical and surgical products markets through acquisition and new
product development. The Company believes that it can leverage its core
competencies, including the ability to develop rapidly innovative new products,
expertise in commercializing clinical knowledge, relationships with leading
physicians and managerial expertise, beyond the ENT market to enter new markets
on a selective basis. Potential areas for new market entry and expansion
include orthopaedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery and ophthalmology.
 
MAJOR ENT SUBSPECIALTIES
 
  The three major ENT subspecialties within the ENT market are sinus and
rhinology, head and neck and otology. The following table sets forth the
Company's estimate of sales in the overall U.S. ENT market in 1996 for surgical
instruments and related products used in procedures within each of these
subspecialties:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1996 U.S. SALES OF
                                                              SURGICAL PRODUCTS
ENT SUBSPECIALTY                                            USED IN SUBSPECIALTY
- ----------------                                            --------------------
<S>                                                         <C>
Sinus and rhinology........................................     $65 million
Head and neck..............................................     $81 million
Otology....................................................     $33 million
</TABLE>
 
 SINUS AND RHINOLOGY
 
  The majority of surgical procedures within the sinus and rhinology
subspecialty addresses disease and inflammation of the sinuses, due to enlarged
tissue, deviated septum, infection, trauma or allergies.
 
  Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Large numbers of the U.S. population suffer from
chronic sinusitis. Although sinus medications provide temporary relief from
symptoms, they may not resolve the underlying cause of the disease or
inflammation and surgery is frequently required. ENT specialists utilize
several methods of treatment, including medication and surgical intervention,
to provide patients with symptomatic relief of sinus disease. In traditional
sinus surgical procedures, surgeons remove the affected tissue or obstruction,
such as a polyp, through the use of forceps. However, with traditional surgical
instruments, ENT surgeons may have limited ability to visualize and gain access
to the deeper sinus cavities through the natural sinus passageways and may also
experience significant difficulty gaining the control needed to remove the
tissue effectively. These limitations can result in uneven cutting and tearing,
which in turn cause trauma to the surrounding tissue. In some cases, bony
structures and tissue obstruct the nasal passageway, further complicating the
procedure.
 
  Although a less-traumatic method for performing sinus surgery with powered
tissue-removal instrumentation was introduced in 1993, much of the
instrumentation used at the time was originally designed for arthroscopic
procedures (less invasive knee surgery). Since this instrumentation was not
designed specifically for sinus surgery, its use for these procedures was
cumbersome and prone to clogging. Overall operating time of procedures
performed with this method can be reduced by approximately 25% from that of
traditional surgical methods due to the greater ease of accessing structures,
the improved visualization at the site and the quicker removal of tissue with
powered instrumentation.
 
  Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty. Rhinoplasty involves the surgical reconstruction
of the nose to treat bone defects or trauma or to improve the appearance of the
nose cosmetically. ENT surgeons generally use either a bone shaver or a rasp to
shape or reduce the targeted area or a chisel to cut the bone. The use of a
shaver or rasp results in significant post-operative swelling and the use of a
chisel carries with it a significant risk of error. Septoplasty, the surgical
correction of a defect, disease or trauma to the septum, is often done in
conjunction with sinus surgery or rhinoplasty.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
 HEAD AND NECK
 
  The head and neck subspecialty encompasses a wide range of procedures,
including laryngeal (throat) surgery, skull-base surgery, facial tumor removal
and facial plastic surgery.
 
  Laryngeal Surgery. Throat-based procedures include the removal of the
tonsils (tonsillectomy) and adenoids (adenoidectomy), the removal of lesions,
polyps and tumors on the throat or vocal cords and the surgical reduction of
the uvula (the flap of tissue at the back of the throat and the soft palate).
 
  Tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies are performed to treat chronic
inflammation and soreness. In traditional tonsillectomies, surgeons use either
forceps or snares to grasp and pull the tonsils out, or alternatively they cut
away the tonsils with an electrocautery device. The use of these instruments
can cause swelling, pain and post-operative bleeding. For adenoidectomies,
surgeons traditionally utilize a curette, a small hand instrument, to scrape
out the inflamed tissue. Due to the limited precision of a curette in removing
this tissue, adenoidectomies involve many of the same problems experienced in
tonsillectomies.
 
  Lesions, polyps or tumors on the throat or vocal cords are presently removed
using either hand instrumentation, an electrocautery device or a laser. The
use of hand instrumentation, electrocautery devices or lasers may result in
damage to the surrounding tissue. In addition, lasers and electrocautery
devices can destroy the affected tissue and thus prevent the subsequent
pathological testing of a tissue sample.
 
  Uvulopharyngoplasty is a procedure for surgical reduction of the uvula and
the soft palate in the throat to reduce snoring and breathing interruptions
(sleep apnea). The use of electocautery devices or lasers to perform this
procedure is associated with swelling and pain.
 
  Skull-base Surgery. Skull-base surgery includes those procedures in which
the affected anatomy, generally a tumor, is located within or near the skull.
A common skull-base procedure is the removal of an acoustic neuroma, a benign
tumor located on the cranial nerve adjacent to the inner ear. The symptoms of
this condition include hearing loss, ringing in the ears, loss of balance,
pain and headaches. Surgical removal is the only treatment alternative for
persons with an acoustic neuroma; however, the traditional procedure involves
drilling through the dense bone behind the ear to access the nerve, a
procedure that generally takes between six to eight hours to perform and
frequently results in a residual hearing loss.
 
  Facial Tumor Removal. ENT surgeons perform numerous procedures in order to
remove facial tumors from the head and neck area. Surgical resections in this
area are particularly critical procedures to perform because of the numerous
motor nerve branches within the surgical area. Due to the potential
complications from severing a nerve, the identification and monitoring of
nerves during most facial tumor procedures are becoming a standard of care.
These surgeries frequently require laser incisions in cosmetically important
areas and post-operative cosmetic and functional defects are common.
 
  Facial Plastic Surgery. Approximately one-third of ENT surgeons in the U.S.
currently perform facial plastic procedures. The number of elective procedures
for cosmetic purposes is likely to increase in conjunction with the general
aging demographic trend of the U.S. The procedures covered in this area
include: placement of facial implants to correct defects or augment features
in the face; correction and smoothing of wrinkles; facial lifts, which involve
stretching the muscles and skin of the face; and facial sculpting, which
involves the removal of fat around the neck.
 
  Other common facial plastic surgical procedures include face and brow lifts.
During these procedures, the surgeon peels the skin at the hairline, pulls the
facial muscles and skin taut and then stitches the long incision made at the
hairline. In addition to the post-operative swelling and bruising from the
procedure, the patient is left with a relatively large scar at the hairline
from the long incision needed to access the entire facial region. During
facial sculpting, the surgeon removes fat away from the neck area using a
suction cannula, a device which evacuates fat from the facial tissue. As a
result of the aggressive way in which the suction cannula evacuates the fat
from the neck area, the patient experiences significant swelling and bruising
following the surgical procedure.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
 OTOLOGY
 
  Common otology procedures include myringotomies (which generally involve the
insertion of ventilation tubes in the middle ear) and stapedectomies (the
replacement of middle ear bones with middle ear prosthetic implants).
 
  Ventilation tubes are used to treat chronic middle ear infection. Their
placement is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children,
with over one million of these procedures performed in 1996 in the U.S.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by damage to the ossicular bone chain in the
middle ear from disease, trauma or aging. The replacement of diseased bones of
the middle ear with specially designed implants is the preferred method to
restore hearing to these patients, and nearly 60,000 reconstructive middle ear
procedures are performed in the U.S. each year. Re-engineering in the design
and material of the prostheses has, in recent years, improved surgeon
technique and patient hearing outcomes.
 
PRODUCTS
 
  The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets surgical
instruments and related disposables and accessories for use by ENT surgeons.
The Company believes its broad product lines focused on ENT procedures allow
it to be a complete provider to its ENT customer base. The Company also
designs, develops and manufactures surgical products for use during ophthalmic
and orthopaedic procedures. Set forth below is a description of the Company's
products by related subspecialty:
 
 SINUS AND RHINOLOGY
 
  Approximately 28%, 34% and 37% of the Company's net sales in 1995, 1996 and
1997, respectively, were derived from a broad line of powered tissue-removal
instrumentation systems, visualization products, fluid-control products and
hand instruments designed for microendoscopic sinus surgery. The Company has
devoted a significant portion of its investment in research and development to
the development of procedure-specific products to capitalize on and facilitate
the conversion to microendoscopic sinus surgery.
 
  Powered Tissue-Removal Instrumentation Systems. To date, the most
significant product innovation facilitating the conversion of sinus procedures
to less-traumatic techniques has come from the introduction of powered
instrumentation designed for ENT procedures. In 1995, the Company introduced
the first powered micro resector product designed exclusively for use in ENT
procedures. These products cut soft tissue and bone through a unique
oscillating blade design powered by a small, lightweight, surgical handpiece.
In the first quarter of 1997, the Company introduced its XPS powered tissue-
removal system and in the fourth quarter of 1997 introduced the enhanced XPS
2000 StraightShot(R) system. This new ENT specific system, which employs
straight and curved disposable blades and burs, offers the ENT surgeon
significantly increased power with limited blade clogging. The XPS system
accounted for 54% of Xomed's domestic core business sales growth in 1997 and
the Company had over 800 units in place worldwide at the end of 1997. On
average, each unit in the U.S. currently generates approximately $10,000 in
annual blade revenues.
 
  Visualization Products. The Company produces and distributes a competitive
line of visualization endoscopic equipment designed for use in less-traumatic
sinus, head and neck and otology surgery. These products include the Sharpsite
rigid endoscopes and EndoScrub(R) endoscope lens cleaning system. The
EndoScrub(R) endoscope lens cleaning system, which was introduced in 1992 and
is exclusive to the Company, allows the ENT surgeon to clean a scope lens
during surgical procedures without the need to remove and reposition the scope
repeatedly.
 
  Merocel Fluid-Control Products. The Company maintains a strong franchise
with its proprietary disposable fluid-control products (surgical sponges),
developed with proprietary polymer technology to control blood loss and
simultaneously minimize adhesions at the surgical site. Under its Merocel
brand name, the Company markets its fluid-control products in a broad array of
sizes and shapes, designed primarily for use in sinus and rhinology
procedures.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
  Hand Instrumentation. In February 1996, the Company became the exclusive
distributor for BOSS Instruments, Ltd. in the U.S. ENT market, and as a result
now provides a complete line of sinus surgery hand instrumentation. Over 400
patterns have been developed to provide surgeons with an ergonomic design and
performance that afford surgeons precision during surgical procedures. In
October 1997, the Company became the exclusive distributor of articulating
instruments and micro resector blades for the ENT market and all areas of the
orthopaedic market except spine.
 
  Rhinology Products. The Company's products for use during surgical repair of
the nose include internal and external nasal splints, nasal catheters, airway
and irrigation catheters and powered sinus burs.
 
 HEAD AND NECK
 
  Approximately 24%, 25% and 23% of the Company's net sales in 1995, 1996 and
1997, respectively, were derived from products and devices related to the head
and neck anatomy. The Company has a strong brand franchise in this product
subspecialty with its nerve monitoring systems, powered systems and facial
plastic implant products. Head and neck surgical techniques are being
developed which use the more precise tissue removal of powered instrumentation
systems, similar to those being used in sinus surgery, to lessen trauma and
bleeding. The Company believes there is significant opportunity to capitalize
on and facilitate the conversion of this subspecialty to these new techniques.
 
  Powered Tissue-Removal Instrumentation Systems. In mid-1997, the Company
introduced several procedure specific blades to address perceived market
opportunities for the conversion of certain head and neck procedures to
powered instrumentation, thereby further leveraging the Company's installed
base of XPS StraightShot systems. Specifically, the Company has introduced
cutter blades for use in facial sculpting procedures where facial fatty tissue
is removed for cosmetic and other reasons; adenoidectomy blades for more
complete and less-traumatic removal of adenoids; and laryngeal blades for the
removal of polyps, lesions and tumors located on the vocal cords. The Company
believes that the market opportunity for conversion of these procedures to
powered technology is at least as significant as the powered sinus conversion
opportunity.
 
  Powered Drill Systems. Head and neck surgery requires precision, high-
powered drilling to access tumors or tissue behind bone structures. The
Company manufactures and markets a line of electric and air powered drilling
systems for such procedures, including the Powerforma electric drill system
introduced in the fourth quarter of 1996, which consists of a power console,
surgical handpiece and disposable and reusable cutting burrs. This new system
provides the ENT surgeon with significantly increased cutting speed and
precision that will reduce the time necessary to complete these head and neck
surgical procedures.
 
  Nerve Monitoring Systems. The Company's NIM-2(R) XL nerve monitor products,
which were first introduced in February 1995, identify and monitor crucial
motor nerve branches during various head and neck procedures. The
identification of nerves during many head and neck procedures is becoming a
standard of care because the inadvertent cutting of any branches of these
nerves could result in facial paralysis. The NIM-2(R) XL provides surgeons
with visual and audio indicators through a system which includes a battery-
powered electromyographic (EMG) monitor, disposable electrodes and nerve
stimulators.
 
  Facial Plastics Products. Increasingly, ENT surgeons are performing more
facial plastic procedures, including face and brow lifts, facial sculpting and
cosmetic facial implants. The Company provides a broad array of products and
devices for the facial plastic market. The Company is a worldwide distributor
for Implantech Associates, Inc. in the ENT market, and thereby provides a
broad line of facial plastic implants, including implants to augment the chin,
nose and cheek.
 
  Hand Instrumentation. As the exclusive distributor for BOSS Instruments,
Ltd. in the U.S. ENT market, the Company provides a broad line of hand
instrumentation for facial plastic surgery. These products are designed to
increase surgeon precision and reduce patient swelling and recovery time.
 
  Specialty Products. The Company's Laser-Shield II(R) is a laser resistant
endotracheal tube used in throat-related surgery performed with lasers. The
Company believes that the Laser-Shield II(R) is safer and more reliable than
current alternatives.
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
 OTOLOGY
 
  Approximately 21%, 21% and 19% of the Company's net sales in 1995, 1996 and
1997, respectively, were derived from otology products. The Company possesses
a strong franchise and significant market share in this segment of the ENT
market. The Company's otology products include ventilation tubes, middle ear
implants and instrumentation used to repair conductive hearing loss and
correct other problems associated with the ear. The Company believes that the
conversion of ENT procedures to less-traumatic techniques is more likely to
have a significant effect on the sinus and rhinology and head and neck
subspecialties than on the otology subspecialty.
 
  Ventilation Tubes. Vent tubes are small tubes surgically implanted into the
eardrum to provide ventilation to the middle ear. Vent tubes are primarily
used in younger children with severe middle ear infection. The Company markets
a full line of vent tubes, including its proprietary Activent anti-microbial
tube.
 
  Middle Ear Implants. The Company develops and markets middle ear prostheses
used to reconstruct any or all of the three bones of the middle ear, primarily
in cases of otosclerosis and chronic middle ear infection. These permanent
implants are made of stainless steel, porous polyethylene, hydroxyapatite and
other biocompatible materials.
 
  Microsurgical Instruments. The Company sells a broad line of microsurgical
hand-held instruments such as otoscopes, vent tube inserters, disposable
blades, proprietary suction irrigators and specialized instruments to insert
and implant middle ear prostheses.
 
  Specialty Products. The Company's specialty otology products include
absorbent dressings, ear plugs, ear protectors, disposable kits for ear
surgery and other disposable surgical instruments. The Company also produces
and markets the Skeeter(R) otologic drill system, which is designed for middle
ear procedures.
 
 OPHTHALMIC AND OTHER
 
  Approximately 27% of the Company's net sales in 1995 and 21% of its net
sales in 1996 and 1997 were derived from ophthalmic and other products, with
substantially all of such sales from ophthalmic products. The Company develops
and manufactures instruments and disposable products for use during various
ophthalmic procedures. The Company markets these products under the Solan
trademark through distributors specializing in the ophthalmic products market.
These instruments include forceps, needle holders, hooks, probes and scissors.
The Company's disposable products relating to ophthalmic surgery and
procedures are micro knives, cannulae, trephines, blades, sponges, cauteries,
penlights and other miscellaneous products and kits. The Company's Solan
division has a management team dedicated to managing the marketing of its
ophthalmic products. In connection with its acquisition of TreBay in April
1996, the Company acquired certain devices and disposable products for use
during orthopaedic surgery which the Company markets through distributors
under the TreBay name. The sales of orthopaedic products totaled 0% and 9% of
the ophthalmic and other category for 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
  The Company has an established worldwide distribution system with an ENT-
focused, 82-person direct sales force, over 130 distributor alliances and
independent distributors for select product specialties and geographic
markets.
 
  The Company sells to substantially all of the approximately 9,000 ENT
specialists in the U.S. through its direct sales force. The Company is the
only major manufacturer and marketer of ENT surgical products with a direct
sales force exclusively serving ENT specialists. The Company's 56-person U.S.
sales force focuses its efforts on developing and maintaining business
relationships with ENT specialists and those surgeons at leading academic
institutions who are considered to be influential in the ENT field. The
ability of the Company to build and maintain these relationships within the
medical community provides a powerful base for the distribution network and
what the Company believes to be a significant competitive advantage,
especially in the area of product development. The Company's direct U.S. sales
representatives are compensated exclusively through
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
sales commissions. The Company's thirteen marketing personnel specialize
according to subspecialty within the ENT market as well as by category of
product.
 
  In the international market, the Company sells its products through a 26-
person direct sales force and through over 100 distributors. The Company
maintains a direct sales presence in Canada, the United Kingdom, France,
Australia and Germany. The Company sells its products to other countries in
Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Central and South America using distribution
partners. The Company believes it has experienced significant international
sales gains as a result of creating in certain markets a dedicated sales force
focused exclusively on selling its products.
 
  The Company has an exclusive arrangement with the International Center for
Otologic Training (ICOT), an organization affiliated with the Georgia Ear
Institute in Savannah, Georgia. The charter of ICOT is to train
internationally based ENT surgeons, many from developing countries, in new and
advanced ENT surgical techniques. The Company provides financial support and
equipment to ICOT in connection with the training of these surgeons. As a
result of this relationship with the Company, the Company believes that these
physicians and their affiliated hospitals will be more inclined to purchase
the Company's products upon returning to their respective countries.
 
  The Company utilizes specialty distributors to market its non-ENT products
in the U.S. The Company's Solan ophthalmic products are marketed in the U.S.
through a network of dealers specializing in ophthalmic product sales. Outside
of the U.S., the Solan ophthalmic product line is typically marketed through
the same direct and independent distributor system as the Company's ENT
product lines. The TreBay brand of orthopaedic hip revision instruments is
marketed in the U.S. through an exclusive arrangement with a major orthopaedic
company.
 
  The Company seeks to maintain inventory levels that provide its customers
with a high standard of service. In addition, the Company may build
inventories in advance of new product launches to support sales as well as to
provide its sales force with product samples. The Company generally allows its
customers to return products for any reason within 45 days of shipment.
 
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
  In each of the last four years, new products have accounted for an
increasing percentage of the Company's total sales. In 1995, 1996 and 1997,
products introduced within the last three years of the relevant fiscal year
represented approximately 14%, 23%, and 29% of the Company's ENT sales,
respectively. The Company believes that it has a strong base of proprietary
engineering, manufacturing and biomaterials capabilities. The Company also
believes it has expertise in the core research and development areas relevant
to the production of new ENT surgical products. Primarily through internal
research and development efforts, the Company plans to continue to develop new
proprietary products, often in collaboration with leading ENT surgeons, that
allow surgeons to perform their procedures in a less-traumatic manner with
more precision, less surgical time and greater simplicity. The Company
believes that the strong network it has built through its marketing focus on
ENT specialists gives it a competitive advantage. The Company also may
evaluate strategic acquisitions and licensing of third-party technology to
further expand and enhance its product line.
 
  The Company has entered into royalty agreements or, in certain cases,
consulting agreements, with more than 30 ENT specialists as part of its
product development activities. The royalty agreements generally provide that
the specialist is entitled to a percentage of the revenues generated from the
Company's sales of products developed by the Company in collaboration with the
specialist. In addition, the royalty agreements generally provide that all
products developed in collaboration between the specialist and the Company
will be the exclusive property of the Company, subject to the specialist's
right to receive royalties. The Company is not obligated to make material
payments under any of the royalty or consulting agreements.
 
  The Company employs mechanical, electrical, materials and polymer engineers
to develop the various products offered or contemplated by the Company. The
Company's research and development department has a
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
broad range of electro-mechanical skills to address its variety of hand
instruments, implants, electrical powered systems, polymer products and
disposable products. Currently, the Company's research and development
department consists of 13 engineers experienced in various technical
specialties relevant to the Company's core products.
 
  The research and development engineers work closely with leading surgeons in
assessing new surgical procedures for opportunities to develop products that
will complement current products and new "state of the art" devices that fit
within the overall Company's business strategy. During 1995, 1996 and 1997,
the Company spent $2.4 million, $3.7 million, and $4.1 million, respectively,
in connection with research and development activities. The Company expects to
spend approximately $4.8 million in 1998 for research and development.
 
  The Company also is pursuing research and development projects that target
markets outside of ENT. The Company currently has active projects to develop
products for the plastic and reconstructive surgery market, the arthroscopy
market and the spinal surgery market.
 
SUPPLIERS
 
  Although most of the purchased components utilized by the Company in
manufacturing are available from more than one vendor, certain materials,
including TPE-based materials and certain fluoropolymers used in its
ventilation tubes, are only supplied by a single vendor. Although it is not
presently the case, if the supply of materials from a single source vendor
were interrupted in the future, replacement or alternative sources may not be
readily obtainable due to the regulatory requirements that the Company certify
as to the quality and suitability of the new or alternate material. In
addition, a new or supplemental filing with the FDA would be required to be
approved prior to the Company's marketing a product containing new material.
This approval process may take a substantial period of time and there is no
assurance that the Company would be able to identify, certify or obtain the
necessary regulatory approval for the new material to be used in the Company's
products. In addition, certain suppliers could terminate or limit the sales of
certain materials to the Company for use in medical devices in an attempt to
limit their potential exposure to product liability claims.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The markets served by the Company are highly competitive. The Company
believes that the primary competitive factors affecting its business are the
reliability, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, safety and effectiveness of its
products and surgeon and purchaser familiarity with its instrumentation. For
certain of the Company's potential products, an important factor in
competition may be the timing of market introduction of its or its
competitors' products. Accordingly, the relative speed with which the Company
can develop products, complete approval or clearance processes and supply
commercial quantities of the products to the market are also important
competitive factors. The Company believes that its ability to compete
successfully in the ENT markets will depend on its ability to maintain market
share of its core product base and to facilitate the conversion of traditional
surgical procedures to microendoscopy surgical techniques using innovative
technology developed by the Company. See "Risk Factors--Possible Adverse
Effects of Significant Competition."
 
  The Company competes with Smith & Nephew ENT (a division of Smith & Nephew
plc formerly known as Richards Medical Company) in substantially all of the
Company's ENT product lines. Stryker Corporation, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy (a
division of Smith & Nephew plc) and Linvatec Corporation (a division of Conmed
Corporation) offer endoscopic equipment and sinus power systems that compete
with those of the Company. A number of other medical products companies offer
products which compete directly with certain products or product lines
marketed by the Company. Many of the Company's competitors and potential
competitors have substantially greater capital resources than the Company.
Some of the Company's competitors may have long term or preferential supply
arrangements with hospitals. Such arrangements may act as a barrier to market
entry by the Company.
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
  The Company's products, product development activities, promotional and
marketing activities and manufacturing processes are subject to extensive and
rigorous regulation by the FDA and comparable agencies in foreign countries.
In the U.S., the FDA regulates the interstate commerce of medical devices as
well as manufacturing, labeling, promotion and recordkeeping procedures for
such devices. For purposes of these regulations, the Company's products are
generally treated as medical "devices." In order for the Company to market its
products in the U.S., the Company must obtain marketing clearance from the FDA
through what is known as a 510(k) pre-market notification or obtain approval
through a more detailed application process resulting in what is known as PMA.
The process of obtaining marketing clearance for new medical devices from the
FDA can be costly and time-consuming. There can be no assurance that such
clearance will be granted for the Company's products that are under
development or future products on a timely basis, if at all, or that FDA
review will not involve delays that will adversely affect the Company's
ability to commercialize additional products or expand permitted uses of
existing products.
 
  A manufacturer may seek FDA clearance to distribute a new medical device by
filing a 510(k) pre-market notification. A 510(k) pre-market notification
requires the manufacturer of a medical device to establish that the device is
"substantially equivalent" to medical devices legally marketed in the U.S. The
510(k) pre-market notification must be accompanied by appropriate information
or data establishing the claim of substantial equivalence, which, depending on
the type of product, may require animal or human clinical data. If this
substantial equivalence is established to the satisfaction of the FDA, the
manufacturer will receive FDA clearance for marketing of the medical device.
If the manufacturer cannot establish substantial equivalence or if the FDA
determines that a device requires a more rigorous review, the FDA will require
that the manufacturer submit a PMA application prior to obtaining approval to
market the device in the U.S. The PMA process requires laboratory and animal
studies, the submission to the FDA of a request for permission to clinically
evaluate the medical device in humans under an Investigational Device
Exemption ("IDE"), the conduct of human studies meeting the requirements of
the institutional review board of the study institution, the written informed
consent of all participating patients, the submission of a PMA application,
the review of the human studies by an FDA-selected scientific advisory panel
and final review (including manufacturing facilities review) and approval by
the FDA. This process is expensive and time-consuming, generally taking more
than a year and often substantially longer.
 
  All of the Company's currently marketed products either have received FDA
marketing clearance pursuant to 510(k) pre-market notifications or PMA
applications filed by the Company and cleared by the FDA, or are exempt from
obtaining marketing clearance by virtue of their status as pre-amendment
devices (i.e. devices introduced into interstate commerce prior to May 28,
1976). Although the Company anticipates that, at least in the near term, its
products will be evaluated under the 510(k) pre-market notification process,
there can be no assurance that the Company's current or future products may
not be subjected to the PMA process or that the Company's current or future
products in development will receive FDA marketing clearance.
 
  Even if regulatory clearance to market a device is obtained from the FDA,
this clearance may entail limitations on the indicated uses of the device.
Marketing clearance can also be withdrawn by the FDA due to the failure to
comply with regulatory standards or the occurrence of unforeseen problems
following initial clearance. The Company may be required to make further
filings with the FDA under certain circumstances such as the addition of new
product claims. The Company has made modifications to its cleared products,
which the Company believes do not require submission of new 510(k) notices.
There can be no assurance, however, that the FDA would agree with any of the
Company's determinations and not require the Company to submit new 510(k)
notices for any of the changes made to its products and/or to stop marketing
until new 510(k)s are cleared by the FDA.
 
  Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could result in,
among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions, civil penalties,
recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production,
refusal of the government to grant pre-market clearance or pre-market approval
for devices, withdrawal of approvals and criminal prosecution.
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
  The Company is also required to register with the FDA as a medical device
manufacturer. As such, the Company's manufacturing facilities are subject to
inspection on a routine basis for compliance with GMP. These regulations
require that the Company manufacture its products and maintain its documents
in a prescribed manner with respect to manufacturing, testing and quality
control activities. As a medical device manufacturer, the Company is further
required to comply with FDA requirements regarding the reporting of
allegations of death or serious injury associated with the use of its medical
devices, as well as product malfunctions that would likely cause or contribute
to death or serious injury if the malfunctions were to recur. Other FDA
requirements govern product labeling and prohibit a manufacturer from
marketing an approved device for unapproved applications. If the FDA believes
that a manufacturer is not in compliance with the law, it can institute
proceedings to detain or seize products, issue a recall, enjoin future
violations and assess civil and criminal penalties against the manufacturer,
its officers and employees.
 
  The Company is also subject to numerous federal, state and local laws
relating to such matters as safe working conditions, manufacturing practices,
environmental protection, fire hazard control and disposal of hazardous or
potentially hazardous substances. There can be no assurance that the Company
will not be required to incur significant costs to comply with such laws and
regulations in the future or that such laws or regulations will not have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's ability to do business.
 
  The Company may become subject to future legislation and regulations
concerning the manufacture and marketing of medical devices. This could
increase the cost and time necessary to begin marketing new products and could
affect the Company in other respects not presently foreseeable. The Company
cannot predict the effect of possible future legislation and regulations.
 
  Sales of medical devices outside the U.S. are subject to foreign regulatory
requirements that vary widely from country to country. These laws and
regulations range from simple product registration requirements in some
countries to complex clearance and production controls in others. As a result,
the processes and time periods required to obtain foreign marketing approval
may be longer or shorter than that necessary to obtain FDA approval. These
differences may affect the efficiency and timeliness of international market
introduction of the Company's products, and there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to obtain regulatory approvals or clearances for its
products in foreign countries.
 
  For countries in the EU, in January 1995, CE mark certification procedures
became available for medical devices, the successful completion of which would
allow certified devices to be placed on the market in all EU countries. In
order to obtain the right to affix the CE mark to its products, medical device
companies must obtain certification that its processes meet European quality
standards, including certification that its design and manufacturing facility
complies with ISO 9001 standards. After June 1998, medical devices may not be
sold in EU countries unless they display the CE mark. The Company successfully
obtained certification under the ISO 9001 standards in November 1995. In
addition, international sales of medical devices manufactured in the U.S. but
not approved by the FDA for distribution in the U.S. are subject to FDA export
requirements. Under these requirements, the Company must assure that the
product is not in conflict with the laws of the country for which it is
intended for export, in addition to complying with the other requirements of
Sections 801(e) and/or 802 of the United States Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
 
THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
 
  In the U.S., health care providers that purchase medical devices generally
rely on third-party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid, private health
insurance plans and health maintenance organizations, to reimburse all or a
portion of the cost of the devices. The Medicare program is funded and
administered by the Health Care Financing Administration ("HCFA"), while the
Medicaid program is jointly funded by HCFA and the states, which administer
the program under general federal oversight. The Company believes its current
products and the procedures in which such products are used are generally
eligible for coverage under these third-party reimbursement programs. The
Company also believes that the products it is developing and the procedures in
which such products will be used will be eligible for third-party
reimbursement. The competitive position of
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
certain of the Company's products will be partially dependent upon the extent
of coverage and adequate reimbursement for such products and for the
procedures in which such products are used.
 
  The federal government and certain state governments are currently
considering a number of proposals to reform the Medicare and Medicaid health
care reimbursement system. The Company is unable to evaluate what legislation
may be drafted and whether or when any such legislation will be enacted and
implemented. Certain of the proposals, if adopted, could have an adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
  During the past several years, the major third-party payors have
substantially revised their reimbursement methodologies in an attempt to
contain their health care reimbursement costs. Medicare reimbursement for
inpatient hospital services is based on a fixed amount per admission based on
the patient's specific diagnosis. As a result, any illness to be treated or
procedure to be performed will be reimbursed only at a prescribed rate set by
the government that is known in advance to the health care provider. If the
treatment costs less, the provider is still reimbursed for the entire fixed
amount; if it costs more, the provider cannot bill the patient for the
difference. No separate payment is made in most cases for products such as the
Company's instrumentation when they are furnished or used in connection with
inpatient care. Many private third-party payors and some state Medicaid
programs have also adopted similar prospective payment systems.
 
  Third-party payors have recently increased their emphasis on managed care,
which has led to an increased emphasis on cost-effective medical devices by
health care providers. In addition, through their purchasing power, these
payors often seek discounts, price reductions or other incentives from medical
product suppliers.
 
  The Company intends to seek international reimbursement approvals for its
products, although there can be no assurance that such approvals will be
obtained in a timely manner or at all. Reimbursement and health care payment
systems in international markets vary significantly by country and include
both government-sponsored health care and private insurance. To the extent
that any of the Company's products are not entitled to reimbursement in any
international market, market acceptance of such products in such international
market would be adversely affected.
 
PATENTS, TRADE SECRETS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
  Proprietary protection for the Company's products and know-how is important
to the Company's business. Thus, the Company's policy is to prosecute and
enforce its patents and proprietary technology. The Company intends to
continue to file patent applications to protect technology, inventions and
improvements that are considered important to the development of its business.
The Company also relies upon trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological
innovation and licensing opportunities to develop and maintain its competitive
position.
 
  As of May 26, 1998, the Company held 55 U.S. patents and 11 foreign patents,
and had filed 28 additional U.S. patent applications and 4 patent applications
in certain major industrial countries. The Company is also licensed under 9
patents owned by third parties.
 
  The patent positions of medical device companies, including the Company, are
generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions.
Consequently, even though the Company currently is pursuing its patent
applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and certain foreign
patent authorities, the Company does not know whether any of its remaining
applications will result in the issuance of any patents or, if any patents are
issued, whether they will provide significant proprietary protection or will
be circumvented or invalidated. Patent applications in the U.S. are maintained
in secrecy until patents issue, and because publication of discoveries in the
scientific or patent literature tend to lag behind actual discoveries by
several months there may be material patents or publications of which the
Company is not aware. Thus, the Company cannot be certain that it was the
first creator of inventions claimed by pending patent applications or that it
was the first to file patent applications for such inventions.
 
  The medical device industry is characterized by frequent and substantial
intellectual property litigation, particularly with respect to newly developed
technology. Intellectual property litigation is complex and
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
expensive, and the outcome of such litigation is difficult to predict. Any
future litigation, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in
substantial expense to the Company and significant diversion of the efforts of
the Company's technical and management personnel. An adverse determination in
any such proceeding could subject the Company to significant liabilities to
third parties, require disputed rights to be licensed from such parties if
licenses to such rights could be obtained, and/or require the Company to cease
using such technology. There can be no assurance that if such licenses were
obtainable, they would be obtainable at costs reasonable to the Company. If
forced to cease using such technology, there can be no assurance that the
Company would be able to develop or obtain alternate technology. Additionally,
if third-party patents containing claims affecting the Company's technology
are issued and such claims are determined to be valid, there can be no
assurance that the Company would be able to obtain licenses to such patents at
costs reasonable to the Company, if at all, or be able to develop or obtain
alternative technology. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or
administrative proceeding or failure to obtain necessary licenses could
prevent the Company from manufacturing, using or selling certain of its
products, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
  The Company's practice is to require its employees, consultants, outside
collaborators and researchers and other advisors to execute confidentiality
agreements upon the commencement of employment or consulting relationships
with the Company. These agreements provide that all confidential information
developed or made known to the individual during the course of the
individual's relationship with the Company is to be kept confidential and not
disclosed to third parties, subject to a right to publish certain information
in the scientific literature in certain circumstances and subject to other
specific exceptions. In the case of employees, the agreements provide that all
inventions conceived by the individual shall be the exclusive property of the
Company. There can be no assurance, however, that these agreements will
provide meaningful protection for the Company's trade secrets or adequate
remedies in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
 
  The business of the Company entails the risk of product liability claims and
any such claims could have an adverse impact on the Company. The Company has
taken and will continue to take what it believes are appropriate precautions,
including maintaining general liability and commercial liability insurance
policies which include adequate coverage for product liability claims. These
policies currently provide $25 million in aggregate coverage. The Company
evaluates its insurance requirements on an ongoing basis to enable it to
maintain adequate levels of coverage. There can be no assurance that product
liability claims will not exceed such insurance coverage limits or that such
insurance will be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The
Company currently is involved in certain legal proceedings involving product
liability claims. Based on information presently available to the Company, the
Company believes that it has adequate legal defenses or insurance coverage for
these actions, and that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The past and present business operations of the Company and the past and
present ownership and operations of real property by the Company are subject
to extensive and changing federal, state, and local environmental laws and
regulations. The Company believes it is in material compliance with all such
applicable laws and regulations. The Company cannot predict what environmental
legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or
future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted or what
environmental conditions may be found to exist. Compliance with more stringent
laws or regulations or stricter interpretations of existing laws may require
additional expenditures by the Company, some of which may be material.
 
PROPERTIES
 
  The Company owns its 52,000 square-foot corporate headquarters and
manufacturing facility and leases a 36,863 square-foot warehouse and
distribution facility in Jacksonville, Florida. At its Jacksonville corporate
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
headquarters and manufacturing facility, which has 30,000 square feet
dedicated to manufacturing, the Company produces all of the products that it
manufactures other than fluid-control products. The Company has numerous
manufacturing capabilities at the Jacksonville facility, including: injection
molding; insert molding; CNC machining; CAD/CAM; form, fill and seal; ETO
sterilization utilizing a Joslyn reclamation system; specialty surgical
instrument manufacturing; tool design and manufacturing; design and production
of manufacturing equipment; electronics assembly; bar code technology; and
automated storage systems. The Company has begun construction of additional
office and warehouse space at its corporate headquarters. The construction
will take place in three phases with the last phase expected to be completed
in 1999. The operations housed in the leased facility will be moved to the
newly constructed building.
 
  The Company also owns a 34,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and a
6,300 square-foot distribution facility in Mystic, Connecticut. The Company's
Merocel product line of fluid-control products is manufactured at the Mystic
facility.
 
  Currently, the Company operates two manufacturing shifts at both of its
manufacturing facilities and has the ability to increase production levels of
its current product line without expanding its facilities. The Company
believes that the properties, in conjunction with the planned expansion, are
adequate to serve the Company's business operations for the foreseeable
future.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of April 30, 1998, the Company had 570 full-time employees and 4
temporary employees, including 234 in production, 100 in professional and
technical positions, 64 in administration and 176 in sales and marketing. The
Company believes that its future success will depend in large part upon the
continued service of its senior management personnel, most of whom joined the
Company in April 1996, and upon the Company's continuing ability to attract
and retain highly qualified managerial, operational, technical and sales and
marketing personnel. Competition for highly qualified personnel is intense and
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain its key
personnel or that it will be able to attract and retain additional qualified
personnel in the future. The Company has not experienced any work stoppage and
considers its relations with its employees to be satisfactory.
 
LITIGATION
 
  The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings incidental to
the normal conduct of its business. The Company does not believe that any
liabilities relating to the legal proceedings to which it is a party are
likely to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to its consolidated
financial condition or results of operations.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
executive officers and directors of the Company as of May 26, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            NAME             AGE                    POSITION
            ----             ---                    --------
<S>                          <C> <C>
James T. Treace.............  52 President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                  Chairman of the Board of Directors
F. Barry Bays...............  51 Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief
                                  Operating Officer
Thomas E. Timbie............  40 Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial
                                  Officer and Secretary
John R. Treace..............  53 Vice President, U.S. Sales
R. Glen Coleman.............  43 Vice President, Marketing
Guy K. Williamson...........  43 Vice President, International; President,
                                  Xomed International, Inc.
Fred B. Dinger, III.........  37 Vice President, Research and Development
Dan H. Treace...............  49 Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and
                                  Quality Assurance
Mark J. Fletcher............  41 Vice President; President of Solan Ophthalmic
                                  Products
Gerard Bussell..............  49 Vice President, Operations
Richard B. Emmitt (1)(2)....  53 Director
William R. Miller (1).......  70 Director
Rodman W. Moorhead, III.....  54 Director
James E. Thomas (2).........  37 Director
Elizabeth H. Weatherman       38 Director
 (1)(2).....................
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of Compensation Committee.
(2) Member of Audit Committee.
 
  James T. Treace has been President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the Board of Directors of the Company since April 1996. From 1993 until its
acquisition by the Company in April 1996, Mr. Treace served as President,
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of TreBay, an
ENT and orthopaedic product company founded in 1993 by Mr. Treace and Mr. F.
Barry Bays. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Treace served as President of Linvatec
Corporation ("Linvatec"), a minimally invasive orthopaedic medical device
company formerly known as Concept, Inc. ("Concept"), which became a wholly
owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1990. Mr. Treace served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Concept from 1981 until its
acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1990. Mr. Treace is the brother of John
R. Treace and Dan H. Treace.
 
  F. Barry Bays has been Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company since April 1996. From 1993 to April 1996, Mr. Bays
served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and a Director of TreBay.
From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Bays served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Linvatec. From 1981 to 1990, Mr. Bays served as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Concept.
 
  Thomas E. Timbie has been Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since April 1996. From 1994 to April 1996, Mr. Timbie
served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TreBay. From 1990 to
1994, Mr. Timbie held financial management positions at Linvatec, including
Senior Director, Working Capital from 1992 to 1994 and Assistant Controller
from 1990 to 1992. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Timbie served as Director, Financial
Accounting and Reporting of Concept.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
  John R. Treace has been Vice President, U.S. Sales of the Company since
April 1996. From 1995 to April 1996, Mr. Treace served as Vice President,
Sales and Marketing of TreBay. From 1966 to 1994, Mr. Treace served in a
variety of positions at Richards Medical Company. His positions at Richards
Medical Company included Product Manager, Director of Marketing and Sales,
Group Vice President of Marketing and Sales and Sales Distributor. Mr. Treace
is the brother of James T. Treace and Dan H. Treace.
 
  R. Glen Coleman has been Vice President, Marketing of the Company since
August 1996. From January 1983 to August 1996, Mr. Coleman held several
management positions at Linvatec, including Vice President, Global Marketing
from June 1996 to July 1996, Vice President, Sales from October 1993 to June
1996, Vice President and General Manager of its Concept Division from May 1991
to October 1993 and Vice President, Research and Development.
 
  Guy K. Williamson has been Vice President, International of the Company and
President, Xomed International, Inc. since July 1996. From January 1988 to
June 1996, Mr. Williamson held various positions within the Bristol-Myers
Squibb Medical Device Group, including Vice President, Zimmer International
from January 1994 to June 1996, General Manager, China and Hong Kong from
February 1992 to December 1993, Vice President, Marketing and International
Administration, Linvatec from January 1988 to January 1992, and General
Manager Canada of Edward Weck Inc., a surgical products manufacturer, from
1980 to 1988.
 
  Fred B. Dinger, III has been Vice President, Research and Development of the
Company since May 1996. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Dinger held several positions
with Linvatec, including Vice President, Research and Development from 1994 to
1996, Director, New Product Development from 1993 to 1994 and Manager, Power
Systems Development from 1992 to 1993. From 1984 to 1992, Mr. Dinger was
Engineering Section Supervisor at Honeywell Incorporated.
 
  Dan H. Treace has been Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality
Assurance of the Company since May 1996. From 1994 to April 1996, Mr. Treace
served as Vice President and Quality Manager of TreBay. From 1989 to 1994, Mr.
Treace served as Vice President, Technical Affairs of Xomed-Treace, which was
acquired by the Company in 1994. From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Treace was President
of Treace Medical, Inc., a microsurgical ENT medical device company that he
founded in 1982 and that was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1989 and
merged with the business of Xomed, Inc. to form Xomed-Treace, Inc. Mr. Treace
is the brother of James T. Treace and John R. Treace.
 
  Mark J. Fletcher has been Vice President of the Company and President of
Solan Ophthalmic Products since July 1996. From April 1996 to July 1996, Mr.
Fletcher served as Vice President, U.S. Marketing of the Company and from 1994
to April 1996, he served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing of the
Company. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Fletcher held several senior management
positions with Stryker Corporation, a medical device company, including
Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing from 1993 to 1994.
 
  Gerard Bussell has been Vice President of Operations of the Company since
March 1996 and from 1993 to March 1996 was Director of Manufacturing
Operations and Director of Manufacturing of the Company. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Bussell served in senior management positions from 1979 to 1993
with Allergan, Inc., an ophthalmic products company, including Senior
Director, Worldwide Materials, and Managing Director.
 
  Richard B. Emmitt has served as a Director of the Company since April 1994
and from December 1990 to 1994 was a Director of Merocel, which became a
subsidiary of the Company in 1994. Mr. Emmitt has been a Managing Director of
The Vertical Group, Inc., an investment firm, since February 1989.
 
  William R. Miller has served as a Director of the Company since April 1994
and from 1991 to 1994 was a Director of Merocel. In January 1991, Mr. Miller
retired as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bristol-Myers Squibb.
From 1985 to January 1991, Mr. Miller was a Director of Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Mr. Miller is a Director of Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ImClone Systems, Inc.,
Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. and Westvaco Corporation. He is Chairman of the
Board of Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and SIBIA Neurosciences, Inc. He is
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
and is a past Chairman of the Board of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Association. Mr. Miller is also a Trustee of the Manhattan School of Music,
the Metropolitan Opera Association and the Opera Orchestra of New York, a
Member of Oxford University Chancellor's Court of Benefactors, Honorary Fellow
of St. Edmund Hall and Chairman of the English-Speaking Union of the United
States.
 
  Rodman W. Moorhead, III has served as a Director of the Company since 1994
and was a director of Merocel from 1990 to 1994. Mr. Moorhead has been
employed since 1973 by E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC and its predecessor
entities ("EMW LLC"), where he currently serves as Senior Managing Director.
He is a director of Coventry Corporation, NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Transkaryotic Therapies, and is a trustee of ElderTrust, a healthcare REIT.
Mr. Moorhead is a trustee of The Taft School and a member of the Overseers'
Committee on University Resources, Harvard College.
 
  James E. Thomas has served as a Director of the Company since April 1994.
Since 1989, he has been with EMW LLC, where he currently serves as a Managing
Director. Mr. Thomas is also a Director of Anergen, Inc., Celtrix
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Menley & James Laboratories, Inc., Oxford
GlycoSciences, plc., Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. and several privately held
companies.
 
  Elizabeth H. Weatherman has served as a Director of the Company since April
1994 and was a Director of Merocel from December 1990 until 1994. Since 1988,
she has been with EMW LLC, where she currently serves as a Managing Director.
Ms. Weatherman is also a Director of Uroquest Medical Corporation and several
privately held health care companies.
 
  Each director serves until the expiration of his term and thereafter until
his successor is duly elected and qualified. A stockholders agreement among
the Company, WP Investors and certain other stockholders provides that WP
Investors has the right to designate specified numbers of persons to the
Company's Board of Directors so long as WP Investors maintains specified
levels of ownership of the outstanding Common Stock. WP Investors currently
has the right under the stockholders agreement to designate three persons to
be appointed or nominated to the Company's Board of Directors. Following the
consummation of this offering, WP Investors will have the right under the
stockholders agreement to designate two such persons. Executive officers of
the Company are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at its
discretion or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
                      PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information with regard to the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of May 15, 1998, and as adjusted
to reflect the sale of the shares of Common Stock being offered hereby, by:
(i) each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock; (ii) each director of the Company; (iii)
its Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers; (iv) all
current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group; and (v)
each Selling Stockholder. Except as otherwise noted, the named beneficial
holder has sole voting and investment power.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          SHARES BENEFICIALLY                         SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                         OWNED BEFORE OFFERING                        OWNED AFTER OFFERING
                         -----------------------------    NUMBER OF   --------------------
 NAME AND ADDRESSES OF                                     SHARES
   BENEFICIAL HOLDERS    NUMBER(1)         PERCENT(2)   BEING OFFERED NUMBER(1) PERCENT(2)
 ---------------------   -------------     -----------  ------------- --------- ----------
<S>                      <C>               <C>          <C>           <C>       <C>
5% Stockholders:
 Warburg, Pincus
  Investors, L.P. (3)...     3,296,393            44.9%    600,000    2,696,393    33.9%
  466 Lexington Avenue
  New York, NY 10017
 Wellington Management
  Company LLP (4).......       717,300             9.8%        --       717,300     9.0%
  75 State Street
  Boston, MA 02109
 Stein Roe & Farnham
  Incorporated (5)......       500,600             6.8%        --       500,600     6.3%
  One South Wacker Drive
  Chicago, IL 60606
 HL Investment Advisors,
  Inc. (6)..............       417,500             5.7%        --       417,500     5.2%
  200 Hopmeadow St.
  Simsbury, CT 06070
Directors and executive
 officers:
 James T. Treace........       195,168(7)          2.6%     55,000      140,168     1.8%
 F. Barry Bays..........       116,134(8)          1.6%     26,000       90,134     1.1%
 R. Glen Coleman........         8,750(9)            *         --         8,750       *
 Thomas E. Timbie.......        31,799(10)           *       6,500       25,299       *
 John R. Treace.........        29,477(11)           *         --        29,477       *
 Guy K. Williamson......        17,250(12)           *         --        17,250       *
 Richard B. Emmitt......       205,504(13)         2.8%        --       205,504     2.6%
 William R. Miller......         6,750(14)           *         --         6,750       *
 Rodman W. Moorhead,
  III...................     3,296,393(15)        44.9%    600,000    2,696,393    33.9%
 James E. Thomas........     3,296,393(15)        44.9%    600,000    2,696,393    33.9%
 Elizabeth H.
  Weatherman............     3,296,393(15)        44.9%    600,000    2,696,393    33.9%
 All current directors
  and executive officers
  as a group (15
  persons) (16).........     3,972,054            52.7%    687,500    3,284,554    40.3%
</TABLE>
 
- -------
  * Less than 1%.
 (1) Except as otherwise indicated, the persons in this table have sole voting
     and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as
     beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where
     applicable and subject to the information contained in the footnotes to
     this table. Amounts shown for each stockholder include all shares of
     Common Stock subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of May
     15, 1998. Shares not outstanding but deemed beneficially owned by virtue
     of the right of a person or group to acquire them within 60 days are
     treated as outstanding only for purposes of determining the number of and
     percent owned by such person or group.
 (2) Based on 7,343,249 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 15, 1998
     and 7,955,749 shares after this offering.
 (3) The sole general partner of WP Investors is Warburg, Pincus & Co., a New
     York general partnership ("WP"). EMW LLC, a New York limited liability
     company, manages WP Investors. The members of EMW LLC are substantially
     the same as the partners of WP. Lionel I. Pincus is the managing partner
     of WP and the managing member of EMW LLC and may be deemed
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
     to control both WP and EMW LLC. WP, as the sole general partner of WP
     Investors, has a 20% interest in the profits of WP Investors. Messrs.
     Moorhead and Thomas and Ms. Weatherman are each a director of the Company,
     a Managing Director and member of EMW LLC and a general partner of WP. As
     such, Messrs. Moorhead and Thomas and Ms. Weatherman may be deemed to have
     an indirect pecuniary interest (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) in an indeterminate
     portion of the shares beneficially owned by WP Investors and WP. WP
     Investors has granted to the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
     to 97,500 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-
     allotments, if any. If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
     exercised in full, WP Investors will beneficially own 2,598,893 shares of
     Common Stock, or 32.3% of the outstanding shares, after this offering.
 (4) As reflected as beneficially owned at December 31, 1997 in a Statement on
     Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act filed with the Securities and
     Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 9, 1998.
 (5) As reflected as beneficially owned at December 31, 1997 in a Statement on
     Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act filed with the Commission on February
     11, 1998.
 (6) As reflected as beneficially owned at December 31, 1997 in a Statement on
     Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act filed with the Commission on February
     12, 1998.
 (7) Includes 46,167 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to
     stock options exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Excludes
     111,167 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to stock
     options that are not exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Mr.
     Treace has pledged 101,460 shares of Common Stock to WP Investors to
     secure repayment of a loan used to purchase such shares. As of May 15,
     1998, a principal balance of $1,234,993 was outstanding under the loan,
     which bears interest at an annual rate of 7% and matures on April 16,
     2001. The net proceeds of the sale of Common Stock by Mr. Treace in this
     offering will be used to repay the loan.
 (8) Includes 30,167 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to
     stock options exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Excludes 72,667
     shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to stock options
     that are not exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Mr. Bays has
     pledged 58,414 shares of Common Stock to WP Investors to secure repayment
     of a loan used to purchase such shares. As of May 15, 1998, a principal
     balance of $586,000 was outstanding under the loan, which bears interest
     at an annual rate of 7% and matures on April 16, 2001. The net proceeds
     of the sale of Common Stock by Mr. Bays in this offering will be used to
     repay the loan.
 (9) Shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to stock options
     exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Excludes 46,250 shares of
     Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to stock options that are not
     exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998.
(10) Includes 19,500 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired within 60
     days of May 15, 1998. Excludes 39,500 shares of Common Stock which may be
     acquired pursuant to stock options that are not exercisable within 60
     days of May 15, 1998. Mr. Timbie has pledged 12,299 shares of Common
     Stock to WP Investors to secure repayment of a loan used to purchase such
     shares. As of May 15, 1998, a principal balance of $139,508 was
     outstanding under the loan, which bears interest at an annual rate of 7%
     and matures on April 16, 2001. The net proceeds of the sale of Common
     Stock by Mr. Timbie in this offering will be used to repay the loan.
(11) Includes 19,500 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to
     stock options exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Excludes 35,500
     shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to stock options
     that are not exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998.
(12) Includes 16,250 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to
     stock options exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998. Excludes 35,500
     shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to stock options
     that are not exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998.
(13) As of December 31, 1997, (i) Vertical Fund Associates, L.P. ("Vertical
     Fund") is the direct owner of 166,554 shares of Common Stock and (ii)
     Vertical Life Sciences, L.P. ("Vertical Life") is the direct owner of
     38,500 shares of Common Stock. The sole general partner of each of
     Vertical Fund and Vertical Life is The Vertical Group, L.P. ("VG"). Mr.
     Emmitt, a Director of the Company, is a general partner of VG. As such,
     Mr. Emmitt may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest (within
     the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) in an indeterminate
     portion of the securities of the Company beneficially owned by VG,
     Vertical Fund and Vertical Life. Mr. Emmitt disclaims beneficial
     ownership of these securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
     Exchange Act, except to the extent of his indirect pecuniary interest.
(14) Includes 1,250 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired pursuant to
     stock options exercisable within 60 days of May 15, 1998.
(15) All of the shares of Common Stock indicated as owned by Messrs. Moorhead
     and Thomas and Ms. Weatherman are owned directly by WP Investors and are
     included because of Messrs. Moorhead and Thomas' and Ms. Weatherman's
     affiliation with WP Investors. Messrs. Moorhead and Thomas and Ms.
     Weatherman disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares within the
     meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except to the extent of
     their indirect pecuniary interest.
(16) Includes an aggregate of 199,834 shares of Common Stock which may be
     acquired within 60 days of May 15, 1998.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: (i) 30,000,000
shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; and (ii) 1,000,000 shares
of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of May 15, 1998, there were
7,343,249 shares of Common Stock outstanding held of record by approximately
60 persons, and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share in all matters to
be voted on by the stockholders of the Company and do not have cumulative
voting rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any Preferred
Stock outstanding at the time, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive
ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock
are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of the
Company's liabilities and the liquidation preference, if any, of any
outstanding Preferred Stock. Holders of shares of Common Stock have no
preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There are no
redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares offered by the
Company in this offering will be, when issued and paid for, fully paid and
non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Common
Stock are, subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the
holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock which the Company may
designate and issue in the future. See "Dividend Policy."
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Board of Directors has the authority, without any further vote or action
by the stockholders, to provide for the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series with such
designations, rights, preferences and limitations as the Board of Directors
may determine, including the consideration received therefor. The Board also
will have the authority to determine the number of shares comprising each
series, dividend rates, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences,
sinking fund provisions, conversion rights and voting rights without approval
by the holders of Common Stock. Although it is not possible to state the
effect that any issuance of Preferred Stock might have on the rights of
holders of Common Stock, the issuance of Preferred Stock may have one or more
of the following effects: (i) to restrict Common Stock dividends if Preferred
Stock dividends have not been paid; (ii) to dilute the voting power and equity
interest of holders of Common Stock to the extent that any Preferred Stock
series has voting rights or is convertible into Common Stock; or (iii) to
prevent current holders of Common Stock from participating in the Company's
assets upon liquidation until any liquidation preferences granted to holders
of Preferred Stock are satisfied. In addition, the issuance of Preferred Stock
may, under certain circumstances, have the effect of discouraging a change in
control of the Company by, for example, granting voting rights to holders of
Preferred Stock that require approval by the separate vote of the holders of
Preferred Stock for any amendment to the Restated Certificate or any
reorganization, consolidation, merger or other similar transaction involving
the Company. As a result, the issuance of such Preferred Stock may discourage
bids for the Common Stock at a premium over the market price therefor, and
could have a materially adverse effect on the market value of the Common
Stock. See "Risk Factors--Anti-takeover Considerations."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
  In connection both with the formation of the Company and its acquisition of
TreBay, the Company granted certain rights with respect to the registration of
shares of Common Stock held by certain stockholders (the "Investors")
(collectively, the "Registrable Securities"). Based on a review of the
Company's stock records, upon completion of this offering there will be
3,170,163 Registrable Securities outstanding. Such registration rights also
extend to any capital stock of the Company issued as a dividend or other
distribution with respect to,
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
or in exchange for or in replacement of, the shares of Common Stock referred
to above and any additional shares of Common Stock which any of the Investors
may hereafter acquire. Certain of the Investors hold options to purchase an
aggregate of 443,166 shares of Common Stock. The shares obtained upon the
exercise of such options also will be Registrable Securities. A holder or
holders of the Registrable Securities (each a "Holder") who: (i) prior to this
offering, are a Holder or Holders of more than 50% of the then outstanding
Registrable Securities; or (ii) following this offering, are a Holder or
Holders of more than 20% of the then outstanding Registrable Securities (each,
an "Initiating Holder") are entitled to request that the Company file a
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the sale of some or
all of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders, subject to certain
conditions. The Company is required to effect no more than two such
registrations (three if the prior two registrations did not include WP
Investors as an Initiating Holder). The Company is not required to include
Registrable Securities in a registration statement if: (i) the Company either
receives an opinion of counsel that the disposition of such Registrable
Securities does not require registration under the Securities Act; or (ii) the
Registrable Securities can be sold during a single three-month period pursuant
to Rule 144 (without giving effect to the provisions of Rule 144(k)). The
Company is not required to effect any such registration if the anticipated
aggregate public offering price of the shares of Common Stock proposed to be
registered is less than $5.0 million. If officers or directors of the Company
holding other securities of the Company shall request inclusion in any such
registration, or if holders of securities of the Company other than
Registrable Securities who are entitled, by contract with the Company or
otherwise, to have securities included in such a registration (the "Other
Stockholders") request such inclusion, the Holders shall offer to include the
securities of such officers, directors and Other Stockholders in any
underwriting involved in such registration, provided, among other conditions,
that the underwriter representative of any such offering has the right,
subject to certain conditions, to limit the number of Registrable Securities
included in the registration. In addition, in the event that the Company
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act (other
than registrations relating solely to employee benefit plans or pursuant to
Rule 145 or on a form which does not permit secondary sales or does not
include substantially the same information as would be required to be included
in a registration statement covering the sale of Registrable Securities),
either for its own account or for the account of other security holders or
holders exercising their respective demand registration rights, holders of
Registrable Securities may require the Company to include all or a portion of
their Registrable Securities in the registration and in any underwriting
involved therein, provided, among other conditions, that the underwriter
representative of any such offering has the right, subject to certain
conditions, to limit the number of Registrable Securities included in the
registration. Further, since the Company is qualified to use Form S-3 to
register securities under the Securities Act, the holders of Registrable
Securities have the right to request three registrations on Form S-3 to
register all or a portion of such shares under the Securities Act, subject to
certain conditions. In general, the Company will bear all fees, costs and
expenses of such registrations (other than underwriting discounts and selling
commissions applicable to sales of the Registrable Securities and all fees and
disbursements of counsel for each of the Holders).
 
LIMITATIONS ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITY
 
  The Restated Certificate and Restated By-laws limit the liability of
directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.
Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally
liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors,
including gross negligence, except liability for: (i) breach of the directors'
and officers' duty of loyalty; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii)
the unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption;
and (iv) any transaction from which the director or officer derives an
improper personal benefit. Delaware law does not permit a corporation to
eliminate a director's or an officer's duty of care, and this provision of the
Restated Certificate has no effect on the availability of equitable remedies,
such as injunction or rescission, based upon a director's breach of the duty
of care.
 
  These provisions will not limit liability under state or federal securities
laws. The Company believes that these provisions will assist the Company in
attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors.
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
POSSIBLE ISSUANCES OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company has amended its Restated Certificate to authorize the issuance
of Preferred Stock without stockholder approval and upon such terms as the
Board of Directors may determine. This amendment could have the effect of
making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a
third party from acquiring or making a proposal to acquire, a majority of the
outstanding stock of the Company. The rights of the holders of Common Stock
will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of
Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The Company has no present
plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock. See "--Preferred Stock" and
"Risk Factors--Anti-takeover Considerations."
 
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
 
  The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law ("Section 203"). Under Section 203, certain "business
combinations" between a Delaware corporation whose stock generally is publicly
traded or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders and an "interested
stockholder" are prohibited for a three-year period following the date that
such a stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (i) the
corporation has elected in its original certificate of incorporation not to be
governed by Section 203 (the Company did not make such an election); (ii) the
business combination was approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation
before the other party to the business combination became an interested
stockholder; (iii) upon consummation of the transaction that made it an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the commencement of the
transaction (excluding voting stock owned by directors who are also officers
or held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have a
confidential right to tender or vote stock held by the plan); or (iv) the
business combination was approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation
and ratified by two-thirds of the voting stock which the interested
stockholder did not own. The three-year prohibition also does not apply to
certain business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder following
the announcement or notification of certain extraordinary transactions
involving the corporation and a person who had not been an interested
stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested
stockholder with the approval of the majority of the corporation's directors.
The term "business combination" is defined generally to include mergers or
consolidations between a Delaware corporation and an interested stockholder,
transactions with an interested stockholder involving the assets or stock of
the corporation or its majority-owned subsidiaries and transactions which
increase an interested stockholder's percentage ownership of stock. The term
"interested stockholder" is defined generally as a stockholder who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns (or, within three years prior, did own)
15% or more of a Delaware corporation's voting stock. Section 203 could
prohibit or delay a merger, takeover or other change in control of the Company
and therefore could discourage attempts to acquire the Company.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Company's Common Stock is First
Union National Bank.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Upon completion of this offering, the Company expects to have 7,955,749
shares of Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option. Of these shares, the 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock
sold in this offering will be freely tradeable without restriction under the
Securities Act, except for any such shares which may be acquired by an
"affiliate" of the Company (an "Affiliate") as that term is defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act, which shares will be subject to the resale
limitations of Rule 144.
 
  Based on a review of the Company's stock records, upon completion of this
offering an aggregate of approximately 3,128,991 shares of Common Stock held by
existing stockholders will be "restricted securities" (as that phrase is
defined in Rule 144) and may not be resold in the absence of registration under
the Securities Act or pursuant to exemptions from such registration, including
among others, the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
 
  In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if a period of at least
one year has elapsed since the later of the date the "restricted securities"
were acquired from the Company and the date they were acquired from an
Affiliate, then the holder of such restricted securities (including an
Affiliate) is entitled to sell a number of shares within any three-month period
that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of the
Common Stock (approximately 80,000 shares immediately after this offering) or
the average weekly reported volume of trading of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
National Market during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. The holder
may only sell such shares through unsolicited brokers' transactions. Sales
under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements pertaining to the
manner of such sales, notices of such sales and the availability of current
public information concerning the Company. Affiliates may sell shares not
constituting restricted shares in accordance with the foregoing volume
limitations and other requirements but without regard to the one-year holding
period. Under Rule 144(k), if a period of at least two years has elapsed
between the later of the date restricted securities were acquired from the
Company and the date they were acquired from an Affiliate, as applicable, a
holder of such restricted securities who is not an Affiliate at the time of the
sale and has not been an Affiliate for at least three months prior to the sale
would be entitled to sell the shares immediately without regard to the volume
limitations and other conditions described above.
 
  Any employee of the Company who purchased his or her shares of Common Stock
pursuant to a written compensation plan or contract may be entitled to rely on
the resale provisions of Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which permits
nonaffiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares without having to comply with the
current public information, holding period, volume limitation or notice
provision of Rule 144 and permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares
without having to comply with Rule 144's holding period restrictions.
 
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement,
the Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), through their
Representatives, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Furman Selz LLC and Piper
Jaffray Inc. have severally agreed to purchase from the Company and the
Selling Stockholders the following respective numbers of shares of Common
Stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and
commissions set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      NUMBER OF
      UNDERWRITER                                                      SHARES
      -----------                                                     ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated..........................................
Furman Selz LLC......................................................
Piper Jaffray Inc....................................................
                                                                      ---------
    Total............................................................ 1,300,000
                                                                      =========
</TABLE>
 
  The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriters will
purchase all shares of the Common Stock offered hereby if any of such shares
are purchased.
 
  The Company and the Selling Stockholders have been advised by the
Representatives that the Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common
Stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not
in excess of $   per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $   per share to certain other dealers.
After commencement of the offering, the offering price and other selling terms
may be changed by the Representatives.
 
  Each of the Company and WP Investors has granted to the Underwriters an
option, exercisable not later than 30 days after the date of this Prospectus,
to purchase up to 97,500 additional shares of Common Stock, at the public
offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on
the cover page of this Prospectus. To the extent that the Underwriters
exercise such option, each of the Underwriters will have a firm commitment to
purchase approximately the same percentage thereof that the number of shares
of Common Stock purchased by each of them shown in the above table bears to
1,300,000, and the Company and WP Investors will be obligated, pursuant to the
option, to sell such shares to the Underwriters. The Underwriters may exercise
such option only to cover over-allotments made in connection with the sale of
the Common Stock offered hereby. If purchased, the Underwriters will offer
such additional shares on the same terms as those on which the 1,300,000
shares are being offered.
 
  The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters and certain controlling
persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
  In connection with this offering, certain Underwriters and selling group
members (if any) who are qualifying registered market makers on the Nasdaq
National Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market immediately prior to the commencement of
sales in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act,
during the qualifying period which is two business days before commencement of
sales in this offering. The passive market making transactions must comply
with applicable price and volume limits and be identified as such. In general,
a passive market maker may display its bid at a price not in excess of the
highest independent bid for the security; if all independent bids are lowered
below the passive market maker's bid, however, such bid must then be lowered
when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Net purchases by a passive market
maker on each day are generally limited to 30.0% of the passive market maker's
average daily trading volume in the Common Stock during a prior period and
must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may
stabilize the market price of the Common Stock at a level above that which
might otherwise prevail, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
  The Representatives have advised the Company that, pursuant to Regulation M
under the Exchange Act, certain persons participating in the offering may
engage in transactions, including stabilizing bids, syndicate covering
transactions or the imposition of penalty bids which may have the effect of
stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the Common Stock at a level
above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. A "stabilizing
bid" is a bid for or the purchase of Common Stock on behalf of the Underwriters
for the purchase of fixing or maintaining the price of the Common Stock. A
"syndicate covering transaction" is the bid for or the purchase of the Common
Stock on behalf of the Underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the
Underwriters in connection with the offering. A "penalty bid" is an arrangement
permitting, the Representatives to reclaim the selling concession otherwise
accruing to an Underwriter or syndicate member in connection with the offering
if the Common Stock originally sold by such Underwriter or syndicate member is
purchased by the Representatives in a syndicate covering transaction and has
therefore not been effectively placed by such Underwriter or syndicate member.
The Representatives have advised the Company that such transactions may be
effected on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.
 
  Subject to certain exceptions, the Company has agreed not to offer, sell,
sell short or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock for a period of
90 days from the date of this Prospectus without the prior consent of BT Alex.
Brown Incorporated. In addition, directors, executive officers and certain
stockholders of the Company, who will own upon the completion of this offering
an aggregate of     shares of Common Stock including options representing the
right to purchase     shares of Common Stock, have agreed not to offer, sell,
sell short or otherwise dispose of any such shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by them or any shares issuable upon exercise of stock options for a
period of 90 days from the date of this Prospectus without the prior written
consent of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated.
 
  The Representatives of the Underwriters have advised the Company that the
Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they
exercise discretionary authority.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, New York, New York. Certain legal matters
relating to this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Hogan &
Hartson L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 of the
Company appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement and
incorporated by reference elsewhere herein have been audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports appearing herein and
incorporated by reference elsewhere in the registration statement and are
included in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements, and other
information with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Company with the Commission can be inspected and
copied at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following
regional offices of the Commission: 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048, and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a World Wide Web
site (http://www.sec.gov) containing these reports, proxy statements and other
information. The Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market, and
these records and other information can also be inspected at the offices of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc, Nasdaq Reports Section,
1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with all exhibits and amendments, the "Registration Statement")
under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain
portions of which are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the
Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the Common
Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement,
including the exhibits and schedules thereto. The Registration Statement may
be inspected, without charge, at the Commission's principal office at 450
Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and also at the regional offices of
the Commission listed above. Copies of such material may also be obtained from
the Commission upon the payment of prescribed rates. The Registration
Statement may also be accessed from the Commission's World Wide Web site
listed above.
 
  Statements contained in the Prospectus as to any contracts, agreements or
other documents filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is hereby made to the
copy of such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement for a full statement of the provisions thereof, and
each such statement in the Prospectus is qualified in all respects by such
reference.
 
  The Company distributes to its stockholders annual reports containing
audited financial statements for each fiscal year of the Company.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents have been filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act and are hereby incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus:
 
    (a) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
  31, 1997;
 
    (b) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
  ended March 28, 1998; and
 
    (c) the description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's
  Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act and any
  amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
 
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Common Stock offered hereby shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing such documents.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
  Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon
the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the
documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (other than exhibits
and schedules thereto, unless such exhibits or schedules are specifically
incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
incorporates). Written or oral requests for copies of these documents should
be directed to Xomed Surgical Products, Inc., 6743 Southpoint Drive North,
Jacksonville, Florida 32216, Attention: Secretary.
 
                               ----------------
 
  Xomed(R), EndoScrub(R), NIM-2(R), NIM-2(R) XL, Laser-Shield II(R),
Skeeter(R), Merocel(R), TreBay(R), Powerforma(R), Activent(R), XPS 2000
StraightShot(R) and Solan(R) are registered trademarks of the Company. Rad 40,
RADenoid and Navigator are trademarks of the Company. This Prospectus also
includes trademarks of companies other than the Company.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                 XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                          NUMBER
                                                                          ------
<S>                                                                       <C>
Report of Independent Auditors..........................................   F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and March 28,
 1998 (Unaudited).......................................................   F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the
 period ended
 December 31, 1997 and the three months ended March 28, 1998 (Unaudited)
 and March 29, 1997 (Unaudited).........................................   F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for each of
 the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997..................   F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the
 period ended
 December 31, 1997 and the three months ended March 28, 1998 (Unaudited)
 and March 29, 1997 (Unaudited).........................................   F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..............................   F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors
Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Xomed
Surgical Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
February 16, 1998
Jacksonville, Florida
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                 XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                   MARCH 28,  ----------------
                                                     1998      1997     1996
                                                  ----------- -------  -------
                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                               <C>         <C>      <C>
                     ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents......................   $ 3,889   $ 1,712  $   629
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $735 and $400 at December
   31, 1997 and 1996, respectively...............    14,337    13,277    9,935
  Other receivables..............................       520       620    1,056
  Inventories....................................    16,498    16,238   14,675
  Prepaid expenses and other assets..............       876     1,083    1,070
  Deferred income taxes..........................     1,404     1,404    1,721
                                                    -------   -------  -------
    Total current assets.........................    37,524    34,334   29,086
Notes receivable from officers...................       826       724      724
Property, plant and equipment, net...............    15,433    15,403   15,377
Cost in excess of net assets acquired, net.......    41,901    42,399   44,389
Other assets.....................................     3,089     2,867    3,444
Deferred income taxes............................       --        --     1,036
                                                    -------   -------  -------
    Total assets.................................   $98,773   $95,727  $94,056
                                                    =======   =======  =======
      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable...............................   $ 4,774   $ 3,493  $ 4,370
  Accrued expenses...............................     3,507     2,403    3,287
  Accrued payroll and commissions................     1,507     2,332    1,726
  Accrued restructuring costs....................       --        --     1,155
  Current portion of long-term debt and capital
   lease obligations.............................       --        --        88
                                                    -------   -------  -------
    Total current liabilities....................     9,788     8,228   10,626
Deferred credits.................................       710       990      300
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations,
 less current portion............................       --        --     3,563
Redeemable preferred stock:
  Several Series; $1.00 par value, 6,300,000
   shares authorized,
   -0- shares issued and outstanding.............       --        --       --
Shareholders' equity:
 Common stock:
   Common Stock, voting, $.01 par value;
    30,000,000 shares authorized, 7,342,524
    shares issued and outstanding................        73        73       73
   Common Stock, non-voting, $.01 par value;
    4,000,000 shares authorized, -0- shares
    issued and outstanding.......................       --        --       --
  Accumulated deficit............................    (1,734)   (3,459)  (9,589)
  Additional paid-in capital.....................    90,331    90,264   89,475
  Cumulative translation adjustments.............      (142)      (88)     --
  Deferred stock compensation....................      (253)     (281)    (392)
                                                    -------   -------  -------
    Total shareholders' equity...................    88,275    86,509   79,567
                                                    -------   -------  -------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity...   $98,773   $95,727  $94,056
                                                    =======   =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                 XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                               -------------------
                                                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                               MARCH 28, MARCH 29, ----------------------------
                                 1998      1997      1997      1996      1995
                               --------- --------- --------  --------  --------
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Sales, net...................   $20,682   $17,804  $ 77,240  $ 65,664  $ 59,865
Cost of sales................     8,063     7,160    30,475    25,926    23,175
                                -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
Gross profit.................    12,619    10,644    46,765    39,738    36,690
Operating expenses:
  Selling, general and
   administrative............     8,085     7,253    30,334    26,799    27,077
  Research and development...     1,170     1,006     4,088     3,659     2,405
  Amortization of
   intangibles...............       584       615     2,374     2,421     2,579
  Write-off of acquired
   research and development..       --        --        --      2,380       --
  Restructuring charges......       --        --        --      3,093       --
                                -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
    Total operating
     expenses................     9,839     8,874    36,796    38,352    32,061
                                -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
Operating income from
 continuing operations.......     2,780     1,770     9,969     1,386     4,629
Interest income..............        55        42       176       194        55
Interest expense.............       (25)      (96)     (280)   (2,399)   (3,118)
Other income, net............        40        92       234       525       114
                                -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations before income tax
 expense.....................     2,850     1,808    10,099      (294)    1,680
Income tax expense...........     1,125       721     3,969       873     1,355
                                -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations..................     1,725     1,087     6,130    (1,167)      325
Discontinued operations:
  Income from operations of
   discontinued surgical
   drapes segment (less
   applicable income tax
   expense of $203 for the
   period ended December 31,
   1995).....................       --        --        --        --        306
  Loss on disposal of
   surgical drapes segment
   (less applicable income
   tax benefit of $1,386)....       --        --        --        --     (2,485)
                                -------   -------  --------  --------  --------
Net income (loss)............   $ 1,725   $ 1,087  $  6,130  $ (1,167) $ (1,854)
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
Pro forma:
  Loss from continuing
   operations................                                $ (1,243) $   (149)
  Preferred stock dividends..                                   1,170       --
                                                             --------  --------
  Loss from continuing
   operations available to
   common shareholders.......                                $ (2,413) $   (149)
                                                             ========  ========
Per share (1996 and 1995 pro
 forma):
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations
   available to common
   shareholders..............   $  0.23   $  0.15  $   0.84  $  (0.47) $  (0.03)
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
  Net income (loss) available
   to common shareholders....   $  0.23   $  0.15  $   0.84  $  (0.47) $  (0.52)
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations
   available to common
   shareholders--assuming
   dilution..................   $  0.23   $  0.15  $   0.82  $  (0.46) $  (0.03)
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
  Net income (loss) available
   to common shareholders--
   assuming dilution.........   $  0.23   $  0.15  $   0.82  $  (0.46) $  (0.50)
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
Weighted average common
 shares outstanding..........     7,342     7,289     7,323     5,105     4,474
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
Weighted average common
 shares outstanding--
 diluted.....................     7,632     7,438     7,512     5,243     4,617
                                =======   =======  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                 XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     NON-VOTING
                    COMMON STOCK    COMMON STOCK                SHAREHOLDERS' ADDITIONAL              CUMULATIVE
                  ---------------- ---------------- ACCUMULATED     NOTE       PAID-IN     UNEARNED   TRANSLATION
                   SHARES   AMOUNT  SHARES   AMOUNT   DEFICIT    RECEIVABLE    CAPITAL   COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS  TOTAL
                  --------- ------ --------  ------ ----------- ------------- ---------- ------------ ----------- --------
<S>               <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
BALANCE AT
 DECEMBER 31,
 1994...........    573,120  $ 6    426,777   $  4   $ (6,997)      $(349)     $   --       $ --         $--      $ (7,336)
Net loss........        --   --         --     --      (1,854)        --           --         --          --        (1,854)
Stock options
 exercised......     19,000  --         --     --         --          --            22        --          --            22
Accretion of
 cumulative
 preferred stock
 dividends......        --   --         --     --      (3,868)        --           (22)       --          --        (3,890)
                  ---------  ---   --------   ----   --------       -----      -------      -----        ----     --------
BALANCE AT
 DECEMBER 31,
 1995...........    592,120    6    426,777      4    (12,719)       (349)         --         --          --       (13,058)
Net loss........        --   --         --     --      (1,167)        --           --         --          --        (1,167)
Accretion of
 cumulative
 preferred stock
 dividends......        --   --         --     --      (3,262)        --           --         --          --        (3,262)
Forgiveness of
 cumulative
 preferred stock
 dividends......        --   --         --     --       7,559         --           --         --          --         7,559
Stock options
 exercised......    104,600    1        --     --         --          --           188        --          --           189
Shareholders
 stock
 returned.......        --   --         --     --         --          162          --         --          --           162
Acquisition of
 minority
 interest in
 subsidiary.....      8,000  --         --     --         --          --           180        --          --           180
Stock
 compensation,
 net of tax.....        --   --         --     --         --          --           596       (392)        --           204
Proceeds from
 initial public
 stock
 offering.......  2,875,000   29        --     --         --          --        53,976        --          --        54,005
Conversion of
 preferred stock
 to common
 stock..........  3,255,052   33        --     --         --          187       34,535        --          --        34,755
Conversion of
 non-voting
 common stock to
 voting common
 stock..........    426,777    4   (426,777)    (4)       --          --           --         --          --           --
                  ---------  ---   --------   ----   --------       -----      -------      -----        ----     --------
BALANCE AT
 DECEMBER 31,
 1996...........  7,261,549   73        --     --      (9,589)        --        89,475       (392)        --        79,567
Net income......        --   --         --     --       6,130         --           --         --          --         6,130
Stock options
 exercised......     74,100  --         --     --         --          --           655        --          --           655
Net tax benefits
 from stock
 options........        --   --         --     --         --          --           134        --          --           134
Amortization of
 unearned
 compensation...        --   --         --     --         --          --           --         111         --           111
Translation
 adjustments....        --   --         --     --         --          --           --         --          (88)         (88)
                  ---------  ---   --------   ----   --------       -----      -------      -----        ----     --------
BALANCE AT
 DECEMBER 31,
 1997...........  7,335,649  $73        --    $--    $ (3,459)      $ --       $90,264      $(281)       $(88)    $ 86,509
                  =========  ===   ========   ====   ========       =====      =======      =====        ====     ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                 XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               THREE MONTHS ENDED   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                               ------------------- ----------------------------
                               MARCH 28, MARCH 29,
                                 1998      1997      1997      1996      1995
                               --------- --------- --------  --------  --------
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)............   $1,725    $1,087   $  6,130  $ (1,167) $ (1,854)
Adjustments to reconcile net
 income (loss) to net cash
 provided by operating
 activities:
  Depreciation...............      612       511      2,340     2,285     2,038
  Amortization...............      628       688      2,776     2,564     2,702
  Loss on disposal of
   property and equipment....       18       --          60       301     4,963
  Translation adjustments....      (54)      --         288        41       (67)
  Write-off of acquired
   research and development..      --        --         --      2,380       --
  Changes in operating assets
   and liabilities net of
   effects of purchased
   business
    (Increase) decrease in
     accounts and other
     receivables, net........     (931)     (912)    (3,282)    2,456    (3,161)
    (Increase) decrease in
     inventories, net........     (260)      (15)    (1,563)   (2,530)      535
    Decrease (increase) in
     deferred income taxes...     (372)      --       2,002       266      (494)
    Increase (decrease) in
     other assets............     (157)     (254)      (251)     (141)      130
    Increase (decrease) in
     accounts payable and
     accrued expenses........    1,560      (571)      (980)   (1,099)    2,510
    Decrease in accrued
     restructuring costs.....      --       (614)    (1,155)     (512)   (1,045)
                                ------    ------   --------  --------  --------
Net cash provided by (used
 in) operating activities....    2,769       (80)     6,365     4,844     6,257
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and
 equipment...................     (659)     (448)    (2,426)   (2,379)   (2,969)
Loans to officers............      --        --         --        353       --
Proceeds from certificates of
 deposit.....................      --        140        140       721       338
Purchase of other assets.....      --        --         --       (807)   (1,388)
Purchases of businesses
 (including cash received)...      --        --         --      2,000       --
                                ------    ------   --------  --------  --------
Net cash used in investing
 activities..................     (659)     (308)    (2,286)     (112)   (4,019)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from revolving line
 of credit...................      --      5,336     12,302    29,416    28,810
Payments on revolving line of
 credit......................      --     (5,509)   (15,450)  (37,034)  (24,986)
Payments on term notes
 payable and capital lease...      --        (21)      (503)  (26,096)   (5,927)
Exercise of stock options....       67       638        655       189       --
Issuance of stock............      --        --         --     54,005        22
Repurchases of redeemable
 preferred stock.............      --        --         --    (25,000)      --
                                ------    ------   --------  --------  --------
Net cash provided by (used
 in) financing activities....       67       444     (2,996)   (4,520)   (2,081)
                                ------    ------   --------  --------  --------
Net increase in cash and cash
 equivalents.................    2,177        56      1,083       212       157
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of period.........    1,712       629        629       417       260
                                ------    ------   --------  --------  --------
Cash and cash equivalents at
 end of period...............   $3,889    $  685   $  1,712  $    629  $    417
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF
 CASH FLOW INFORMATION
  Cash paid during the period
   for:
    Interest.................   $   11    $   52   $    282  $  2,499  $  3,118
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
    Income taxes.............   $  437    $   38   $  1,529  $    579  $    228
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
  Increase (decrease) in
   preferred stock
   attributable to accretion
   or forgiveness of
   cumulative preferred stock
   dividends:
    Series A.................   $  --     $  --    $    --   $   (141) $    209
    Series B.................      --        --         --     (1,473)    1,223
    Series C.................      --        --         --     (2,684)    2,458
                                ------    ------   --------  --------  --------
                                $  --     $  --    $    --   $ (4,298) $  3,890
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
  Non-Cash financing and
   investing activities:
    Note receivable accepted
     in exchange for surgical
     drapes segment assets...   $  --     $  --    $    --   $    --   $  1,125
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
    Purchase of business with
     preferred stock, net of
     cash received...........   $  --     $  --    $    --   $  4,583  $    --
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
    Conversion of preferred
     stock to common.........   $  --     $  --    $    --   $ 34,755  $    --
                                ======    ======   ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
  Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. (the Company), a Delaware corporation was
organized on April 5, 1994 for the purpose of acquiring on April 15, 1994, all
of the outstanding stock of Xomed-Treace, Inc. and Xomed-Treace, P.R. Inc.
(collectively, Xomed, Inc.) and Merocel Corporation (Merocel). The Company had
no operations or material assets prior to this transaction. As the owners of
the Company were also owners of Merocel, these transactions have been
accounted for as if Xomed, Inc. were acquired by Merocel. Therefore, the
assets and liabilities of Merocel were not revalued and are presented in the
accompanying balance sheet at historical cost.
 
  Xomed is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of
surgical products for use by ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists. The
Company's broad line of products, includes in its core ENT market, powered
tissue-removal systems and other microendoscopy instruments, implantable
devices, nerve monitoring systems and disposable fluid-control products. The
Company also offers a line of ophthalmic and other products. The Company sells
its products worldwide utilizing a sales force domestically and third party
distributors and wholly owned subsidiaries internationally. Trade credit is
extended based on consideration of the financial capabilities of the customer
and letters of credit are obtained in certain situations. Concentrations of
credit risk with respect to the Company's extending of trade credit, which
generally is not collateralized, is limited due to the large number of
customers and their dispersion across different geographic areas.
 
  On April 16, 1996, the Company acquired TreBay Medical Corporation (TreBay)
which was involved in the development of ENT surgical specialty products. The
acquisition, which was accomplished through the issuance of preferred stock,
was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the
results of operations have been included in the Company's consolidated
financial statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price of
approximately $6,600 was allocated to the individual assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values at the date of
acquisition. The transaction resulted in cost in excess of net assets acquired
of approximately $4,400, of which $2,400 was allocated to in-process research
and development and was subsequently written off. The executive management of
TreBay replaced former management of the Company (see Note 7). The acquisition
was funded through the issuance of approximately $2,800 of redeemable
preferred stock and $3,700 of convertible preferred stock.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Principles of Consolidation
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of
Merocel and subsidiary, TreBay, and Xomed, Inc. and subsidiaries. Significant
intercompany transactions and balances between entities have been eliminated.
 
 Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with original
maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
 Inventory Valuation
 
  Inventories are generally stated at average cost on a first-in, first-out
valuation basis not in excess of market. Market for raw materials is based on
replacement costs and for work-in-process and finished goods on net realizable
value.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
 
 Property, Plant and Equipment
 
  Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for
maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Additions,
improvements and major replacements are capitalized. The costs and accumulated
depreciation related to assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts
and any gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Depreciation is
computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of
the related asset categories as follows--building and building improvements 27
to 35 years and machinery and equipment including assets under capital leases
three to 15 years.
 
 Income Taxes
 
  The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which
requires the use of the liability method of accounting for deferred income
taxes.
 
 Revenue Recognition
 
  The Company recognizes revenue when inventory is shipped to the customer.
 
 Amortization
 
  Amortization of cost in excess of assets acquired is amortized over 25
years. Accumulated amortization totaled $7,680 and $5,689 as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively. Amortization of other intangibles is amortized
straight-line over the life of the related agreement ranging from four to 15
years.
 
  The recoverability of goodwill is periodically assessed by the Company at
the product line level. Cash flows and profitability of each product line as
well as changes in the operations of businesses acquired are reviewed to
determine if impairment exists. If this review indicates that goodwill will
not be recoverable, the Company's carrying value of the goodwill is reduced by
the estimated shortfall of discounted cash flows.
 
  In July 1995, the Company disposed of its surgical drapes segment, and
included a reduction of goodwill totaling $5,805 in the loss on disposal of
discontinued operations.
 
 Research and Development
 
  Expenditures related to research and development of new products and
processes, including research related to product alternatives, are expensed as
incurred.
 
 Translation Adjustments
 
  Prior to the fourth quarter of 1997, translation gains and losses of foreign
currencies related to foreign operations are included in income from
operations and totaled $341 (loss), $41 (loss) and $67 (gain) for the ten
months ended October 31, 1997, and years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The financial results of these foreign operations were
translated using a combination of current and historical rates. Subsequent to
October 1997, translation gains and losses are included as a component of
shareholder's equity, assets and liabilities of the foreign operations are
translated at current rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at
average rates during the period. This change resulted from a change in the
designation of the functional currency from the U.S. dollar to the foreign
currency due to decreased dependence of the foreign operations on their parent
for financing, marketing and distribution activities.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
 
 Stock Compensation
 
  The Company follows the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock based
compensation prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25--
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Accordingly, stock compensation
expense is measured as the excess if any, of the quoted market price of the
Company's stock at the date of grant over the exercise price.
 
 Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 Earnings Per Share
 
  In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 128,
Earnings Per Share. Statement 128 replaced the calculation of primary and
fully diluted earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share.
Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share exclude any
dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible securities. Diluted
earnings per share are very similar to the previously reported fully diluted
earnings per share. All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been
presented, and where appropriate restated, to conform to the Statement 128
requirements.
 
 Reclassifications
 
  Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
 
3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
  During mid 1995, the Company approved a plan to dispose of and finalized an
agreement for the disposal of all operating assets, inventory, patents and
license agreements of its surgical drapes segment in exchange for cash, notes
receivable, inventory and fixed assets related to several otology product
lines of a nonrelated entity. Management decided the surgical drapes were not
part of the Company's core business and disposed of this product line in
exchange for the head and neck product line of another entity which is more
compatible with the Company's other products. There was no intent to dispose
of the surgical drapes segment at the time of the Xomed-Treace acquisition.
The operating results of the otology product lines were not significant to the
Company's overall results of operations during 1995.
 
  Certain financial information related to the surgical drapes product line,
which was acquired from Xomed-Treace on April 15, 1994, is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997   1996   1995
                                                            ------ ------ ------
     <S>                                                    <C>    <C>    <C>
     Sales................................................. $  --  $  --  $5,385
                                                            ====== ====== ======
     Pre-tax income........................................ $  --  $  --  $  509
                                                            ====== ====== ======
     Income tax expense.................................... $  --  $  --  $  203
                                                            ====== ====== ======
     Net income............................................ $  --  $  --  $  306
                                                            ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
 
  The surgical drapes business accounts consisted principally of inventory,
fixed assets and related goodwill aggregating approximately $7,100 on the date
of disposition. Interest expense attributed to the drapes business was $56 for
1995. The Company realized a net loss of $2,485, after income tax benefits of
$1,386, on this transaction and has restated its financial statements for the
discontinued operations. The loss on disposal was computed as the difference
between the carrying value of the surgical drapes segment assets disposed of
and the estimated fair value of the assets received related to the otology
product lines. There were no significant intangibles such as customer lists or
patents acquired in connection with the otology product lines, nor was any
work force transferred. The components of the loss on disposal in 1995 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                                 <C>
     Cash and notes receivable acquired................................  $ 2,250
     Less: Transaction fees............................................     (316)
       Goodwill related to the surgical drapes segment.................   (5,805)
                                                                         -------
     Pre-tax loss......................................................   (3,871)
     Tax benefit.......................................................    1,386
                                                                         -------
     Net loss on disposition...........................................  $(2,485)
                                                                         =======
</TABLE>
 
  The inventory and fixed assets of the otology product lines acquired were
recorded at fair values of $1,170 and $154, respectively, which approximated
the aggregate carrying value of assets disposed of related to the surgical
drapes business.
 
  Included in other receivables and other assets as of December 31, 1996 are
notes receivable of $375 and $375, respectively, related to this transaction.
As part of the transaction both parties agreed to manufacture their existing
products through the end of 1995 and supply those products to the other party
at cost.
 
4. INVENTORIES
 
  Inventories are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                    MARCH 28,  ----------------
                                                      1998      1997     1996
                                                   ----------- -------  -------
                                                   (unaudited)
     <S>                                           <C>         <C>      <C>
     Finished goods...............................   $10,185   $10,224  $ 7,654
     Work in process..............................     1,928     1,447    2,006
     Raw materials and packaging..................     6,612     6,584    6,066
     Reserve for obsolescence.....................   (2,227)    (2,017)  (1,051)
                                                     -------   -------  -------
                                                     $16,498   $16,238  $14,675
                                                     =======   =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The reserve for obsolescence increased by $966, $650, and $61 for 1997,
1996, and 1995, respectively.
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property, plant and equipment, at cost, less allowances for depreciation, is
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                               ----------------
                                                                1997     1996
                                                               -------  -------
     <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
     Land and land improvements............................... $ 1,413  $ 1,413
     Building and building improvements.......................   6,564    6,360
     Machinery and equipment..................................  14,959   13,317
                                                               -------  -------
                                                                22,936   21,090
     Allowances for depreciation..............................  (8,734)  (6,685)
                                                               -------  -------
                                                                14,202   14,405
     Capital projects in process..............................   1,201      972
                                                               -------  -------
                                                               $15,403  $15,377
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  Depreciation expense, including expense on assets under capital lease
obligations, is approximately $2,340, $2,285,and $2,038 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
6. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge
intercompany trade accounts receivable from its foreign subsidiaries. The
Company's forward exchange contracts do not subject the Company to risk from
exchange rate movements because gains and losses on such contracts offset
gains and losses on the trade accounts receivable being hedged. If the
counterparties to the forward exchange contracts do not fulfill their
obligations to deliver the contracted currencies, the Company could be at risk
for any currency exchange rate movements.
 
  For intercompany receivables, the contracts require the Company to sell
foreign currencies, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, British Pound, French
Franc and the German Duetschmark, in exchange for the U.S. Dollar. At December
31, 1997, the Company held $7,000 in foreign currency forward exchange
contracts, which mature, in early 1998. These contracts are marked to market
each month. The resulting gains or losses are reflected in income and are
generally offset by gains or losses on the exposures being hedged.
 
7. ACCRUED RESTRUCTURING COSTS
 
  Incident to the acquisition of Xomed-Treace in April 1994, the Company
initiated a plan to restructure certain of its operations and established a
reserve of $3,258 as part of the cost of the acquired business associated
primarily with closing a plant facility and significantly reducing the
Company's work force. At December 31, 1996, there was no remaining accrued
restructuring costs.
 
  In conjunction with the purchase of TreBay, the Company recorded an accrual
totaling $647 related to severance and relocation costs ($598) and lease
termination costs ($49). All employees of TreBay were terminated, except the
officers and two other individuals who relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, the
corporate headquarters of the Company. For the period from the acquisition
date through December 31, 1996, $250 was paid related to termination and
relocation benefits, $49 was paid related to lease termination costs and $162
was paid related to other acquisition cost. During 1997 the Company utilized
the remaining reserve as follows: $82 was paid related to termination and
relocation, $61 was paid related to lease termination, and $43 related to
other exit costs.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
  Simultaneous with the purchase of TreBay and a plan by new management to
combine certain operations, (see Note 1), the Company recorded a restructuring
accrual of $3,100 which was comprised of $2,500 of termination benefits and
$600 of other exit costs. The reductions included 20 management and
administrative employees the Company's Mystic, Connecticut manufacturing
facility, 17 management and administrative employees at the Company's
Jacksonville, Florida headquarters, 13 management and production employees at
the Company's St. Louis, Missouri manufacturing facility and 2 management
level employees internationally. For the period from the accrual date through
the end of 1996, the Company had paid out termination benefits totaling $2,000
and paid approximately $100 related to other exit costs. As of December 31,
1996, the Mystic, Connecticut facility maintained only manufacturing
operations, and in December 1996, the St. Louis facility was closed. During
1997 the Company utilized the remaining reserve as follows: paid termination
benefits of $500, wrote off property related to the St. Louis facility closure
of approximately $300, paid other exit costs of $100 and reversed the
remaining reserve approximately $100 against selling general and
administrative expenses.
 
8. LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
  The Company was obligated under long-term debt and capital lease obligations
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -------------
                                                                1997   1996
                                                                -------------
     <S>                                                        <C>   <C>
     Revolving line-of-credit agreement with interest payable
      monthly and all outstanding principal due May 5, 2000;
      interest at LIBOR (5.72% at December 31, 1997) Plus 1.5%
      or at the lender's base rate (8.5% at December 31,
      1997).................................................... $ --  $ 3,148
     Note payable under capital lease obligation to vendor in
      quarterly principal and interest installments of $36
      through October 1, 1997 and a final payment of $415 on
      January 1, 1998. The note was paid off early in December
      1997. The note carried interest at 10.8%.................   --      503
                                                                ----- -------
                                                                  --    3,651
     Less current portion......................................   --       88
                                                                ----- -------
                                                                $ --  $ 3,563
                                                                ===== =======
</TABLE>
 
  In May 1997, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with the bank. Under the terms of the Credit
Agreement, the Company may borrow under a line-of-credit up to a maximum
capacity of $25,000 to be used for working capital and operating needs and
acquisitions. The amount available to the Company at any given time is based
upon various percentages of the Company's outstanding inventories and accounts
receivable and certain other assets. Availability at December 31, 1997 was
approximately $21,000. Any principal amounts outstanding on the line-of-credit
in excess of the borrowing base must be repaid by the Company. In any event,
all outstanding principal on the line-of-credit is due and payable on May 5,
2000. The Company pays a quarterly commitment fee which varies from .25% to
 .125% per annum on the average daily unused balance on the line-of-credit
during the preceding calendar quarter.
 
  The line-of-credit is collateralized by the receivables and inventory of the
Company and certain land and buildings at the Mystic, Connecticut facility
with a net book value of $34,506. The debt agreement has restrictions
regarding payment of dividends, incurrence of additional debt and requires
compliance with various financial covenants.
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
9. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  In October 1996, in conjunction with the Company's Initial Public Offering
of stock, all Series A and B Convertible Preferred shares were converted to
Common Stock, approximately 80% of the Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock was
redeemed for cash and the balance was converted to Common Stock and the Non-
Voting Common Stock was converted to Common Stock.
 
  In September 1996, the Company authorized 1,000,000 shares of a new issue of
preferred stock. The stock is undesignated as to its rights, preferences and
limitations which the Board of Directors is authorized to set at a future date
prior to issuance.
 
  During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company issued 19,000 shares of
Common Stock under the employee stock incentive plan. The stock was issued at
option prices of between $1.00 to $2.00 per share and resulted in $22 of
additional paid-in capital.
 
 Common Stock
 
  Each share of Common Stock and Non-Voting Common Stock (collectively Common
Equity) entitles its holder to receive dividends as declared by the Company's
Board of Directors, subject to the preferences and other rights of the Series
A, Series B and Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock. Each share of Non-Voting
Common Stock is convertible into one share of Common Stock at the election of
the shareholder.
 
  During 1996, the Company amended and restated its Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to, among other things, (i) change the designation of its Class
A Common Stock to "Common Stock," (ii) change the designation of its Class B
Common Stock to "Non-Voting Common Stock," (iii) increase the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock to 30,000,000 and (iv) authorize a class of
undesignated Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.
 
 Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
  Each share of Series A (1.2 million shares authorized) and Series B (3.5
million shares authorized) Convertible Preferred Stock (collectively
Convertible Preferred Stock) entitles its holder to receive an annual
cumulative cash dividend at the rate of six percent per annum, payable on a
quarterly basis. At the election of the Board of Directors, dividends may be
paid in shares of Series A or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock,
respectively, in lieu of cash. Dividends are cumulative and must be paid prior
to any dividends being paid on the Common Equity. The Company at its option,
with the majority consent of the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock,
may redeem any or all of the outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred
Stock at a price of $9.58 per share, plus accrued dividends. The Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock is voted along with the Common Equity on an as
converted basis, whereas the Series B has no voting rights.
 
  In any event, any outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock at
April 15, 2001 are required to be redeemed on that date by the Company at
$9.58 per share, plus accrued dividends. Each share of Convertible Preferred
Stock, at the election of the holder, may be converted for one share of like
Common Equity (the conversion rate being subject to adjustment from time-to-
time).
 
  Each share of Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock (Series C Preferred Stock)
(600,000 shares authorized) entitles its holder to receive an annual
cumulative cash dividend at the rate of nine percent per annum, payable
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
9. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (CONTINUED)
 
on a quarterly basis. At the election of the Board of Directors, dividends may
be paid in shares of Series C Preferred Stock in lieu of cash. Dividends are
cumulative and must be paid prior to any dividends being paid on the Common
Equity. The Company at its option, with the majority consent of the holders of
the Series C Preferred Stock, may redeem any or all of the outstanding shares
of the Series C Preferred Stock at a price of $100.00 per share, plus accrued
dividends.
 
  In any event, any outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock at
April 15, 2001 are required to be redeemed on that date by the Company at
$100.00 per share, plus accrued dividends.
 
  In April 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of TreBay
in exchange for 390,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock and
28,470 shares of Series C redeemable preferred stock.
 
  The following table presents changes in redeemable preferred stock (dollars
in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              SERIES A            SERIES B             SERIES C
                          PREFERRED STOCK      PREFERRED STOCK      PREFERRED STOCK
                          -----------------  --------------------  ------------------
                           SHARES   AMOUNT     SHARES     AMOUNT    SHARES    AMOUNT
                          --------  -------  ----------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                       <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
Balance at December 31,
 1994...................   364,215  $ 3,632   2,127,838  $ 21,251   273,063  $ 28,996
Accretion of dividends..       --       209         --      1,223       --      2,458
                          --------  -------  ----------  --------  --------  --------
Balance at December 31,
 1995...................   364,215    3,841   2,127,838    22,474   273,063    31,454
Accretion of dividends..       --       263         --        922       --      2,077
Forgiveness of
 dividends..............       --      (404)        --     (2,395)      --     (4,761)
Shareholders stock
 returned...............    (9,563)     (91)        --        --     (2,074)     (208)
Issuance of shares for
 TreBay Medical.........   390,000    3,736         --        --     28,470     2,847
Redemption of preferred
 stock..................       --       --          --        --   (235,327)  (25,000)
Conversion of preferred
 stock to common Stock..  (744,652)  (7,345) (2,127,838)  (21,001)  (64,132)   (6,409)
                          --------  -------  ----------  --------  --------  --------
Balance at December 31,
 1996...................       --   $   --          --   $    --        --   $    --
                          ========  =======  ==========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
10. RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
  Retirement benefits are provided to all eligible employees through the
participation in defined contribution plans maintained by the Company which
comply with the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the
"Savings Plans"). The provisions of the Savings Plans differ with respect to
employee contributions, employer matching percentages and profit sharing
depending on the country in which the employees work. Expense recorded by the
Company for the various plans for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 was approximately $481, $510, and $520, respectively.
 
11. EMPLOYEE STOCK INCENTIVES
 
  The Company has reserved an aggregate of 1,078,000 shares of its Common
Stock for grant or sale to key employees of the Company. As of December 31,
1997 and 1996, 295,534 and 184,534 options, respectively, were available for
additional grants. These shares may be issued in such amounts and in such a
manner (including stock options, restricted stock grants, stock bonuses, or
other stock incentive programs) as determined by the Company's Board of
Directors from time-to-time. In general, the options are granted at exercise
prices equal to the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant,
have a life of 10 years and provide for vesting over
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
11. EMPLOYEE STOCK INCENTIVES (CONTINUED)
 
a number of years. As of December 31, 1997, 160,391 shares were exercisable.
Total stock based compensation cost recognized in the Statement of Operations
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $111, $54 and $0,
respectively. The following table summarizes option activity, which may be
exercised at various dates through January 2007:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1997                         1996
                                            WEIGHTED                     WEIGHTED
                              1997          AVERAGE         1996         AVERAGE        1995
                             OPTIONS     EXERCISE PRICE   OPTIONS     EXERCISE PRICE   OPTIONS
                          -------------  -------------- ------------  -------------- -----------
<S>                       <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Beginning of the period
 options outstanding....        468,866      $ 8.99          251,350      $5.67          257,100
Options granted.........        202,000       15.77          421,666       9.15            8,000
Options exercised.......        (74,100)       8.34         (104,600)      1.81           (6,750)
Options canceled........        (13,000)      12.14          (99,550)      8.87           (7,000)
                          -------------                 ------------                 -----------
End of period options
 outstanding............        583,766       11.99          468,866       8.99          251,350
                          =============                 ============                 ===========
Options granted range of
 option prices..........  $15.06-$20.38                 $9.36-$10.65                       $9.58
                          =============                 ============                 ===========
Options exercised range
 of option prices.......  $ 1.00-$10.65                 $1.00-$ 9.58                 $1.00-$2.00
                          =============                 ============                 ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for stock
options issued with exercise prices equal to the fair value of the common
stock on the date of grant. Statement No. 123 requires the determination of
fair value of all options utilizing stock option valuation models. In
management's opinion, existing stock option valuation models do not provide a
reliable single measure of the fair value of employee stock options that have
vesting provisions and are not transferable. In providing the pro forma
disclosures below, the Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model
with the following weighted average assumptions: 1) an expected volatility
factor for the Company's stock of .31; 2) a risk-free interest rate of 6.5%;
3) an expected life of options of 3 years; and 4) no dividend payments. The
weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted in 1997 and 1996 was
$4.59 and $4.01, respectively. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock
option plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for
awards consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net
income (loss) from continuing operations and income (loss) per share from
continuing operations would be as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1997   1996     1995
                                                        ------ -------  ------
     <S>                                                <C>    <C>      <C>
     Pro forma net income (loss)--as reported.......... $6,130 $(2,413) $ (149)
     Pro forma net income (loss)--adjusted............. $5,908 $(2,545) $ (150)
     Pro forma income (loss) per share--as reported.... $  .84 $ (0.47) $(0.03)
     Pro forma income (loss) per share--adjusted....... $  .81 $ (0.50) $(0.03)
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
12. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
  The following table sets forth the computation of shares for purposes of the
earnings per share calculation (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         MARCH 28, MARCH 29,
                                           1998      1997    1997  1996  1995
                                         --------- --------- ----- ----- -----
                                             (UNAUDITED)
     <S>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>   <C>   <C>
     Weighted average shares
      outstanding.......................   7,342     7,289   7,323 5,105 4,474
     Net effect of dilutive stock
      options--based on the treasury
      stock method......................     290       149     189   138   143
                                           -----     -----   ----- ----- -----
     Totals.............................   7,632     7,438   7,512 5,243 4,617
                                           =====     =====   ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
 
13. INCOME TAXES
 
  The provision for income taxes (benefit) from continuing operations consists
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997  1996    1995
                                                            ------ -----  ------
     <S>                                                    <C>    <C>    <C>
     Current:
       Domestic:
         Federal........................................... $1,801 $ 496  $  206
         State.............................................    360   206      33
       Foreign.............................................     65   --      --
                                                            ------ -----  ------
                                                             2,226   702     239
     Deferred:
       Domestic............................................  1,527   540   1,116
       Foreign.............................................    216  (369)    --
                                                            ------ -----  ------
                                                            $3,969 $ 873  $1,355
                                                            ====== =====  ======
</TABLE>
 
  During 1997 and 1996, the Company's tax liability was decreased $134 and
$150, respectively, and additional paid-in capital increased due to the early
disposition of stock by a stock option holder. During 1997, the Company
utilized approximately $650 of operating loss carryforwards thereby reducing
its current liability.
 
  Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations reconciled to the
amount computed at statutory rates is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997   1996    1995
                                                          ------  -----  ------
     <S>                                                  <C>     <C>    <C>
     Federal tax (benefit) at statutory rate............  $3,434  $(103) $  588
     Purchased in-process research and development......     --     833     --
     State income taxes (net of federal income tax
      effect)...........................................     442     92     136
     Increase in valuation allowance on foreign losses..     156    --      387
     Tax benefits related to export sales...............    (209)   --      --
     Loss from unconsolidated subsidiary for tax
      purposes..........................................     --     --      192
     Other, net.........................................     146     51      52
                                                          ------  -----  ------
                                                          $3,969  $ 873  $1,355
                                                          ======  =====  ======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
13. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
 
  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred income taxes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                               ----------------
                                                                1997     1996
                                                               -------  -------
     <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
     Deferred income tax assets:
       Net operating loss carryforwards....................... $ 1,505  $ 1,131
       Losses from foreign operations.........................   1,008    1,068
       Patents and other intangibles..........................     511      553
       Inventory..............................................     997      728
       Non-deductible accrued expenses........................     583      436
       AMT credit.............................................      44      333
       Severance accruals.....................................      27      566
                                                               -------  -------
                                                                 4,675    4,815
       Valuation allowance....................................    (741)    (585)
                                                               -------  -------
                                                                 3,934    4,230
                                                               -------  -------
     Deferred income tax liabilities:
       Amortization of goodwill...............................  (2,118)    (570)
       Depreciation...........................................    (712)    (562)
       Purchased research and development.....................    (215)    (298)
       Deductible prepaid expenses............................     --       (27)
                                                               -------  -------
                                                                (3,045)  (1,457)
                                                               -------  -------
                                                               $   889  $ 2,773
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The valuation allowance at December 31, 1997 and 1996 relates to certain
losses from foreign operations incurred prior to 1996 which management
believes the ultimate realization of the related tax benefits is not more
likely than not at the present time. This allowance was increased $156 and $6
for 1997 and 1996, respectively, for losses of these foreign operations.
Foreign losses totaling approximately $2,300 can be carried forward for
periods ranging from five years to indefinitely. Undistributed earnings
reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries as working capital and plant
and equipment aggregated $77. Domestic loss carryforwards total $4,071 and
expire in 2009 through 2011.
 
14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company had outstanding a note receivable
totaling $724 from an officer, which is collateralized by 44,460 shares of the
Company's common stock, bears interest at 10%, becomes a demand note on
November 7, 2000 and, in any event, is payable in full by November 7, 2002.
 
  In connection with the acquisition of TreBay Medical Corporation in April
1996, a significant shareholder of the Company made loans to three officers to
acquire the Company's stock. At December 31, 1996, the aggregate principal
value of notes payable to the shareholder from the officers was $1,900. The
notes are secured by a total of 172,173 shares of the Company's common stock,
bear interest at 7% and become payable in full on April 16, 2001. The officers
are obligated to apply 50% of the after-tax amount of any Company bonuses to
unpaid interest and principal.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
15. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
  The Company was committed under noncancelable operating leases with terms in
excess of one year involving certain property and equipment. Rental expense on
all rental agreements totaled $706, $790, and $417 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In general, the Company has
options to renew its leases for varying periods of time. Annual minimum rental
commitments under these leases are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
     ------------------------
     <S>                                                                <C>
     1998.............................................................. $  602
     1999..............................................................    204
     2000..............................................................    158
     2001..............................................................    127
     2002 and thereafter...............................................    124
                                                                        ------
                                                                        $1,215
                                                                        ======
</TABLE>
 
16. CONTINGENCIES
 
  The Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a
wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business
activities, including product liability claims. Management believes that any
liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters will
not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of
operations of the Company.
 
  The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining tax returns for years
1994 through 1996. Management believes the ultimate resolution of this
examination will not result in a material adverse effect to the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
 
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
  The Company's subsidiaries operate distribution facilities in a number of
foreign countries. Currently, international subsidiaries are present in
Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, France and Germany. These subsidiaries
represent approximately 15% of 1997 total sales of the Company, with France
representing the largest portion of this with 4% of total sales. Inter-area
sales are not significant to the total sales of any one geographic area.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS
                                     IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
                              -------------------------------------------------
                                                 INCOME
                                               (LOSS) FROM       IDENTIFIABLE
                                 SALES         OPERATIONS           ASSETS
                              -------------- ---------------   ----------------
     <S>                      <C>            <C>               <C>
     1997:
       United States......... $       65,958   $       10,124    $       89,553
       International
        Operations...........         11,282              (25)            6,174
                              --------------   --------------    --------------
       Consolidated.......... $       77,240   $       10,099    $       95,727
                              ==============   ==============    ==============
     1996:
       United States......... $       55,034   $          628    $       88,788
       International
        Operations...........         10,630             (922)            5,268
                              --------------   --------------    --------------
       Consolidated.......... $       65,664   $         (294)   $       94,056
                              ==============   ==============    ==============
     1995:
       United States......... $       51,644   $        2,801    $       87,873
       International
        Operations...........          8,221           (1,121)            5,250
                              --------------   --------------    --------------
       Consolidated.......... $       59,865   $        1,680    $       93,123
                              ==============   ==============    ==============
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
 
  The Company had export sales of $12,200, $10,400 and $9,400 in 1997, 1996
and 1995, respectively, representing 16%, 16% and 16% of total sales,
respectively.
 
18. PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
 
 Pro Forma Statement of Operations
 
  The following unaudited pro forma statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 1996 reflects the statement of operations of the Company for the
periods presented as if TreBay was purchased on January 1, 1995. The pro forma
statement of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             THREE MONTHS
                             YEAR ENDED         ENDED
                          DECEMBER 31, 1996 MARCH 30, 1996
                          ----------------- --------------
                                XOMED           TREBAY     ADJUSTMENTS  PROFORMA
                          ----------------- -------------- -----------  --------
<S>                       <C>               <C>            <C>          <C>
Sales, net..............       $65,664          $ 279         $--       $65,943
Cost of sales...........        25,926            219          --        26,145
                               -------          -----         ----      -------
Gross profit............        39,738             60          --        39,798
Operating Expenses:
  Selling, general and
   administrative.......        26,799            299         (154)(a)   26,944
  Research and
   development..........         3,659            138          (66)(a)    3,731
  Amortization of
   intangibles..........         2,421            --           --         2,421
  Write-off of acquired
   research and
   development..........         2,380            --           --         2,380
  Restructuring
   charges..............         3,093            --           --         3,093
                               -------          -----         ----      -------
Total operating
 expenses...............        38,352            437         (220)      38,569
                               -------          -----         ----      -------
Operating income (loss)
 from continuing
 operations.............         1,386           (377)         220        1,229
                               -------          -----         ----      -------
Interest expense, net...        (2,205)           --           --        (2,205)
Other income, net.......           525             54          --           579
                               -------          -----         ----      -------
Income (loss) before
 income tax expense
 (benefit)..............          (294)          (323)         220         (397)
Income tax expense
 (benefit)..............           873            --           (27)(a)      846
                               -------          -----         ----      -------
Net income (loss).......       $(1,167)         $(323)        $247       (1,243)
                               =======          =====         ====
Preferred stock
 dividends..............                                                  1,170
                                                                        -------
Net (loss) attributable
 to common
 shareholders...........                                                $(2,413)
                                                                        =======
Pro forma net (loss) per
 share(b)...............                                                $ (0.47)
                                                                        =======
Pro forma weighted
 average shares
 outstanding(b).........                                                  5,105
                                                                        =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Elimination of general and administrative expenses which are duplicative
    and will not be incurred subsequent to the purchase date, amortization of
    acquired developed research and development, non-cash compensation expense
    related to stock options granted, closing of the TreBay facility and
    calculation of income tax benefit on the TreBay loss after adjustments.
(b) See Note 19.
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
                XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
 
19. PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER SHARE
 
  Pro forma net income per share is computed based on the weighted average
number of shares of common stock outstanding assuming conversion on January 1,
1995 of: 1) all Series A and B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding as of
December 31, 1995; 2) 390,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
issued in the purchase of TreBay; 3) all stock options issued after December
31, 1995 which have been assumed to be outstanding as of January 1, 1995; and
4) the conversion of 60,225 shares of Series C Preferred Stock into 300,354
shares of Common Stock subsequent to the initial public offering, based upon
the initial public offering price of $21.00 per share.
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                                   [ARTWORK]
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PRO-
SPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER
TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON OR BY ANYONE IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEI-
THER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                                 ------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Prospectus Summary.......................................................   4
Risk Factors.............................................................   8
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  14
Dividend Policy..........................................................  14
Price Range of Common Stock..............................................  14
Capitalization...........................................................  15
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.....................................  16
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  18
Business.................................................................  28
Management...............................................................  43
Principal and Selling Stockholders.......................................  46
Description of Capital Stock.............................................  48
Shares Eligible for Future Sale..........................................  51
Underwriting.............................................................  52
Legal Matters............................................................  53
Experts..................................................................  53
Available Information....................................................  54
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference..........................  54
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               1,300,000 Shares
 
                                     LOGO
                                 Common Stock
 
                                 ------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                                 ------------
 
                                BT ALEX. BROWN
 
                                  FURMAN SELZ
 
                              PIPER JAFFRAY INC.
 
                                       , 1998
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the securities being registered which will be paid
solely by the Company. All the amounts shown are estimates, except the
Commission registration fee, the NASD filing fee and the Nasdaq National
Market listing fee:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                       --------
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   SEC registration fee............................................... $ 12,855
   NASD filing fee....................................................    4,743
   Nasdaq listing fee.................................................   14,200
   Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses.....................   20,000
   Printing and engraving expenses....................................    5,000
   Legal fees and expenses............................................  250,000
   Accounting fees and expenses.......................................  140,000
   Directors and Officers Liability Insurance.........................   60,000
   Miscellaneous expenses.............................................   93,202
                                                                       --------
     Total............................................................  600,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Restated
Certificate") provides that the Company shall indemnify each person who is or
was a director, officer or employee of the Company to the fullest extent
permitted under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law empowers a Delaware corporation to
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or
in the right of such corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation or enterprise. A corporation may indemnify such
person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and
in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A
corporation may, in advance of the final disposition of any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding, pay the expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred by any officer or director in defending
such action, provided that the director or officer undertakes to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the corporation.
 
  A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by
or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor under
the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without
judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
indemnify him against the expenses (including attorneys' fees) which he
actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. The indemnification
provided is not deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which an officer
or director may be entitled under any corporation's bylaw, agreement, vote or
otherwise.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
  The Restated Certificate provides that a director of the Company will not be
personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, which concerns unlawful payments of
dividends, stock purchases or redemption, or (iv) for any transaction from
which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
  While the Restated Certificate provides directors with protection from
awards for monetary damages for breaches of their duty of care, it does not
eliminate such duty. Accordingly, the Restated Certificate will have no effect
on the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission
based on a director's breach of his or her duty of care. The provisions of the
Restated Certificate described above apply to an officer of the Company only
if he or she is a director of the Company and is acting in his or her capacity
as director, and do not apply to officers of the Company who are not
directors.
 
  Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit 1) which provides
for indemnification of the Company, its directors, officers and controlling
persons.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
  (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.                           DESCRIPTION
 -----------                           -----------
 <C>         <S>
     1       Form of Underwriting Agreement
     4       Specimen of Company's Common Stock certificate *
     5       Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to the Legality of the
              Common Stock +
    23.1     Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (included in their opinion
              filed as Exhibit 5.1) +
    23.2     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
    24       Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Pages hereto)
</TABLE>
 
- --------
*  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the
   Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-
   10515).
+  To be filed by Amendment.
 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
  None.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (1) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
  section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and each filing of an
  employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration
  statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
    (2) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
  Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
  persons of the Registrant pursuant to its Restated Certificate, Bylaws, the
  Purchase Agreement or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in
  the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification
  is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
  therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of
  expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
  the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
  is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
  with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
  opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
  whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
  the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
  issue.
 
    (3) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
  the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
  Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
  of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
  497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the
  Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (4) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
  be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities
  offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL
REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ON MAY 26, 1998.
 
                                          Xomed Surgical Products, Inc.
 
                                             /s/    James T. Treace
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            Name:James T. Treace
                                            Title:President, Chief Executive
                                                  Officer and Chairman of the
                                                  Board of Directors
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  Each of the undersigned officers and directors of Xomed Surgical Products,
Inc. hereby severally constitutes and appoints James T. Treace, F. Barry Bays
and Thomas E. Timbie and each of them as the attorneys-in-fact for the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, with full power of substitution, to
sign any and all pre- or post-effective amendments to this Registration
Statement, any subsequent Registration Statement for the same offering which
may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and any and
all pre- or post-effective amendments thereto, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact, or either of them, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
 
             SIGNATURES                        TITLE                 DATE
             ----------                        -----                 ----
 
         /s/ James T. Treace           President, Chief          May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------   Executive Office
           JAMES T. TREACE              and Chairman of the
                                        Board of Directors
                                        (Principal
                                        Executive Officer)
 
        /s/ Thomas E. Timbie           Vice President,           May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------   Finance and Chief
          THOMAS E. TIMBIE              Financial Officer
                                        (Principal
                                        Financial and
                                        Accounting Officer)
 
        /s/ Richard B. Emmitt          Director                  May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------
          RICHARD B. EMMITT
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
             SIGNATURES                         TITLE                DATE
             ----------                         -----                ----
 
        /s/ William R. Miller           Director                 May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------
          WILLIAM R. MILLER
 
     /s/ Rodman W. Moorhead, III        Director                 May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------
       RODMAN W. MOORHEAD, III
 
         /s/ James E. Thomas            Director                 May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------
           JAMES E. THOMAS
 
     /s/ Elizabeth H. Weatherman        Director                 May 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------
       ELIZABETH H. WEATHERMAN
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.              DESCRIPTION
 -------            -----------
 <C>     <S>                                <C>
    1    --Form of Underwriting Agreement
  23.2   --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                                1,300,000 SHARES
                                        
                         XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK

                                ($.01 PAR VALUE)

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                 MAY ___, 1998
                                        
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
Furman Selz LLC
Piper Jaffray Inc.
As Representatives of the
   Several Underwriters
c/o  BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
One South Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Xomed Surgical Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and certain stockholders of the Company named in Schedule II hereto (the
"Selling Stockholders") propose to sell to the several underwriters (the
"Underwriters") named in Schedule I hereto for whom you are acting as
representatives (the "Representatives") an aggregate of 1,300,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Firm Shares"), of which 612,500
shares will be sold by the Company and 687,500 will be sold by the Selling
Stockholders. The shares so proposed to be sold by the Company are herein
referred to as the "Company Shares." The respective amounts of the Firm Shares
to be so purchased by the several Underwriters are set forth opposite their
names in Schedule I hereto, and the respective amount of Firm Shares to be sold
by each Selling Stockholder is set forth opposite that Selling Stockholder's
name on Schedule II hereto. The Company and the Selling Stockholders are
sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Sellers." The Company and a
certain Selling Stockholder, identified on Schedule II hereto, also propose to
sell at the Underwriters' option an aggregate of up to 97,500 additional shares
each of the Company's Common Stock (the "Option Shares").

          As the Representatives, you have advised the Sellers (a) that you are
authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the several Underwriters,
and (b) that the several Underwriters are willing, acting severally and not
jointly, to purchase the numbers of Firm Shares set forth opposite their
respective names in Schedule I, plus their pro rata portion of the Option Shares
if you elect to exercise
<PAGE>
 
the over-allotment option in whole or in part for the accounts of the several
Underwriters. The Firm Shares and the Option Shares (to the extent the
aforementioned option is exercised) are herein collectively called the "Shares."

          In consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and of the
interests of the parties in the transactions contemplated hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.

          (a)  The Company represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters
as follows:

          (i)  A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_________)
          with respect to the Shares has been carefully prepared by the Company
          in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
          amended (the "Act"), and the Rules and Regulations (the "Rules and
          Regulations") of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
          "Commission") thereunder and has been filed with the Commission.
          Copies of such registration statement, including any amendments
          thereto, the preliminary prospectuses (meeting the requirements of the
          Rules and Regulations) contained therein and the exhibits, financial
          statements and schedules, as finally amended and revised, have
          heretofore been delivered by the Company to you.  Such registration
          statement, together with any registration statement filed by the
          Company pursuant to Rule 462 (b) of the Act, herein referred to as the
          "Registration Statement," which shall be deemed to include all
          information omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained
          in the Prospectus referred to below, has become effective under the
          Act and no post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has
          been filed as of the date of this Agreement.  "Prospectus" means (a)
          the form of prospectus first filed with the Commission pursuant to
          Rule 424(b) or (b) the last preliminary prospectus included in the
          Registration Statement filed prior to the time it becomes effective or
          filed pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Act that is delivered by the
          Company to the Underwriters for delivery to purchasers of the Shares,
          together with the term sheet or abbreviated term sheet filed with the
          Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7) under the Act.  Each preliminary
          prospectus included in the Registration Statement prior to the time it
          becomes effective is herein referred to as a "Preliminary Prospectus."
          Any reference herein to any Prospectus shall be deemed to include any
          supplements or amendments thereto, filed with the Commission after the
          date of filing of the Prospectus

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          under Rules 424(b) or 430A, and prior to the termination of the
          offering of the Shares by the Underwriters.

          (ii)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
          corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
          with corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and
          conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement.  Each
          of the subsidiaries of the Company as listed in Exhibit 21 to Item
          16(a) of the Registration Statement (collectively, the "Subsidiaries")
          has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in
          good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
          with corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and
          conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement.  The
          Subsidiaries are the only subsidiaries, direct or indirect, of the
          Company.  The Company and each of the Subsidiaries are duly qualified
          to transact business in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of
          their business requires such qualification, except where the failure
          to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the
          earnings, business, management, properties, assets, rights,
          operations, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
          Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  The outstanding
          shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries have been duly
          authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and,
          except with respect to the shares of FESSCo., Inc. and Xomed France,
          S.A., are all owned by the Company or another Subsidiary.  The
          outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries that are owned
          by the Company or another Subsidiary are free and clear of all liens,
          encumbrances and equities and claims other than the security interests
          therein granted to the Company's bank lenders under its term loan and
          revolving credit facility; and no options, warrants or other rights to
          purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other rights to
          convert any obligations into shares of capital stock or ownership
          interests in the Subsidiaries are outstanding.

          (iii)  The outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company,
          including all shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders, have been
          duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-
          assessable; the Company Shares have been duly authorized and when
          issued and paid for as contemplated herein will be validly issued,
          fully paid and non-assessable; and no preemptive rights of
          stockholders exist with respect to any of the Shares or the issue and
          sale thereof.  Neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor
          the offering or sale of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement
          gives rise to any

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          rights, other than those which have been waived or satisfied, for or
          relating to the registration of any shares of Common Stock.

          (iv)  The information set forth under the caption "Capitalization" in
          the Prospectus (other than pro forma information) is true and correct.
          The pro forma information set forth under the caption "Capitalization"
          in the Prospectus has been adjusted on the pro forma bases described
          in the first paragraph under such caption.  All of the Shares conform
          to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement.
          The form of certificates for the Shares conforms to the corporate law
          of the jurisdiction of the Company's incorporation.

          (v)  The Commission has not issued an order preventing or suspending
          the use of any Prospectus relating to the proposed offering of the
          Shares nor instituted proceedings for that purpose.  The Registration
          Statement contains, and the Prospectus and any amendments or
          supplements thereto will contain, all statements which are required to
          be stated therein by, and will conform, to the requirements of the Act
          and the Rules and Regulations.  The Registration Statement and any
          amendment thereto do not contain, and will not contain, any untrue
          statement of a material fact and do not omit, and will not omit, to
          state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
          make the statements therein not misleading.  The Prospectus and any
          amendments and supplements thereto do not contain, and will not
          contain, any untrue statement of material fact; and do not omit, and
          will not omit, to state any material fact required to be stated
          therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
          the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
          provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or
          warranties as to information contained in or omitted from the
          Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any such amendment or
          supplement, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written
          information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any
          Underwriter through the Representatives, specifically for use in the
          preparation thereof.

          (vi)  The consolidated financial statements of the Company and the
          Subsidiaries, together with related notes and schedules as set forth
          in the Registration Statement, present fairly in all material respects
          the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of
          the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries, at the indicated dates
          and for the indicated periods.  Such financial statements and related
          schedules have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
          principles of accounting, consistently applied throughout the periods
          involved, except as disclosed therein, and all adjustments necessary
          for

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          a fair presentation of results for such periods have been made. The
          summary financial and statistical data included in the Registration
          Statement presents fairly in all material respects the information
          shown therein and such data has been compiled on a basis consistent
          with the financial statements presented therein and the books and
          records of the Company. The pro forma financial statements and other
          pro forma financial information included in the Registration Statement
          and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the
          Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial
          statements, have been properly compiled on the pro forma bases
          described therein, and, in the opinion of the Company, the assumptions
          used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments
          used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions or
          circumstances referred to therein.

          (vii)  Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain of the financial
          statements filed with the Commission as part of the Registration
          Statement, are independent public accountants as required by the Act
          and the Rules and Regulations.

          (viii)  There is no action, suit, claim or proceeding pending or, to
          the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of
          the Subsidiaries before any court or administrative agency which if
          determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries would
          result in any material adverse change in the earnings, business,
          management, properties, assets, rights, operations, condition
          (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and of the
          Subsidiaries taken as a whole or to prevent the consummation of the
          transactions contemplated hereby, except as set forth in the
          Registration Statement.

          (ix)  Except for assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business
          since the date of the latest balance sheet of the Company included in
          the financial statements hereinabove described, the Company and the
          Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all of the properties
          and assets reflected as owned by them in such financial statements (or
          as described in the Registration Statement), subject to no security
          interest, lien, mortgage, pledge or encumbrance of any kind except
          those reflected in such financial statements (or as described in the
          Registration Statement) or which are not material in amount.  The
          Company and the Subsidiaries occupy their leased properties under
          valid and binding leases conforming in all material respects to the
          description thereof set forth in the Registration Statement.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          (x)  The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed or obtained an
          extension to file all Federal, State, local and foreign income tax
          returns which have been required to be filed and have paid all taxes
          indicated by said returns and all assessments received by them or any
          of them to the extent that such taxes have become due and are not
          being contested in good faith.  All tax liabilities incurred by the
          Company and the Subsidiaries but not yet due have been adequately
          provided for in the financial statements of the Company.

          (xi)  Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
          the Registration Statement, as it may be amended or supplemented,
          there has not been any material adverse change or any development
          involving a prospective material adverse change in or affecting the
          earnings, business,  management, properties, assets, rights,
          operations, condition (financial or otherwise), or prospects of the
          Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not
          occurring in the ordinary course of business, and there has not been
          any material transaction entered into or any material transaction that
          is probable of being entered into by the Company or the Subsidiaries,
          other than transactions in the ordinary course of business and changes
          and transactions described in the Registration Statement, as it may be
          amended or supplemented.  The Company and the Subsidiaries have no
          material contingent obligations which are not disclosed in the
          Company's financial statements which are included in the Registration
          Statement.

          (xii)  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is or with the
          giving of notice or lapse of time or both, will be, in violation of or
          in default under its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other
          similar documents or under any agreement, lease, contract, indenture
          or other instrument or obligation to which it is a party or by which
          it, or any of its properties, is bound and which default is of
          material significance in respect of the condition, financial or
          otherwise of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the
          business, management, properties, assets, rights, operations,
          condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and the
          Subsidiaries taken as a whole.  The execution and delivery of this
          Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated
          and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with or
          result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute
          a default under, any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or
          other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary
          is a party, or of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws
          of the Company or any order, rule or regulation applicable to the
          Company or any Subsidiary of any

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          court or of any regulatory body or administrative agency or other
          governmental body having jurisdiction.

          (xiii)  Each approval, consent, order, authorization, designation,
          declaration or filing by or with any regulatory, administrative or
          other governmental body necessary in connection with the execution and
          delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the
          transactions herein contemplated (except such additional steps as may
          be required by the Commission, the National Association of Securities
          Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or such additional steps as may be
          necessary to qualify the Shares for public offering by the
          Underwriters under state securities or Blue Sky laws) has been
          obtained or made and is in full force and effect.

          (xiv)  The Company and each of the Subsidiaries holds all material
          licenses, certificates and permits from governmental authorities which
          are necessary to the conduct of their businesses; and, to the best
          knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of the
          Subsidiaries has infringed any patents, patent rights, trade names,
          trademarks or copyrights, which infringement is material to the
          business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.  The
          Company knows of no material infringement by others of patents, patent
          rights, trade names, trademarks or copyrights owned by or licensed to
          the Company.

          (xv)  Neither the Company, nor to the Company's best knowledge, any of
          its affiliates, has taken or may take, directly or indirectly, any
          action designed to cause or result in, or which has constituted or
          which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or
          manipulation of the price of the shares of Common Stock to facilitate
          the sale or resale of the Shares.  The Company acknowledges that the
          Underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in the
          Shares on the Nasdaq National Market in accordance with Rule 103 of
          Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

          (xvi)  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is an "investment
          company" within the meaning of such term under the Investment Company
          Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the rules and
          regulations of the Commission thereunder.

          (xvii)  The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls
          sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are
          executed in accordance with management's general or specific
          authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
          preparation of financial statements in conformity with

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain
          accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in
          accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and
          (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing
          assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
          respect to any differences.

          (xviii)  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries carry, or are
          covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the
          Company reasonably believes is adequate for the conduct of their
          respective businesses and the value of their respective properties.

          (xix)  The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all
          presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income
          Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and
          published interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"); no "reportable event"
          (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any "pension plan"
          (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any liability;
          the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability
          under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or
          withdrawal from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of
          the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the
          regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the "Code"); and
          each "pension plan" for which the Company would have any liability
          that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is
          so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred,
          whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of
          such qualification.

          (xx)  The Company confirms as of the date hereof that it is in
          compliance with all provisions of  Section 1 of Laws of Florida,
          Chapter 92-198, An Act Relating to Disclosure of doing Business with
          Cuba, and the Company further agrees that if it commences engaging in
          business with the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate
          located in Cuba after the date the Registration Statement becomes or
          has become effective with the Commission or with the Florida
          Department of  Banking and Finance (the "Department"), whichever date
          is later, or if the information reported in the Prospectus, if any,
          concerning the Company's business with Cuba or with any person or
          affiliate located in Cuba changes in any material way, the Company
          will provide the Department notice of such business or change, as
          appropriate, in a form acceptable to the Department.

          (xxi)  The Company and its Subsidiaries possess all certificates,
          authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state,
          local or foreign regulatory authorities, including without limitation
          the

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and
          Human Services (the "FDA"), necessary to conduct their respective
          businesses as described in the Prospectus, except where failure to
          possess such certificates, authorizations or permits would not, singly
          or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and
          its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and neither the Company nor any
          such Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
          revocation or any other modification of any such certificate,
          authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the
          subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in
          a material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or
          in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its
          Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as described in or contemplated
          by the Prospectus.

          (xxii)  The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with
          any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and
          regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
          environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
          contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits,
          licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable
          Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii)
          are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit,
          license or approval, except where such noncompliance with
          Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or
          other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of
          such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the
          aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
          Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (b) Each of the Selling Stockholders severally represents and warrants
as follows:

          (i)  Such Stockholder now has and at the Closing now has and at the
          Closing Date and, as applicable, the Option Closing Date (as such
          dates are hereinafter defined) will have, good and marketable title to
          the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder, free and clear of
          any liens, encumbrances, equities and claims, and full right, power
          and authority to effect the sale and delivery of such Shares; and upon
          the delivery of, against payment for, such Shares pursuant to this
          Agreement, the Underwriters will acquire good and marketable title
          thereto, free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, equities and
          claims.

          (ii)  Such Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority to
          execute and deliver this Agreement, the Power of Attorney, and the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          Custody Agreement referred to below and to perform its obligations
          under such Agreements.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement
          and the consummation by such Selling Stockholder of the transactions
          herein contemplated and the fulfillment by such Selling Stockholder of
          the terms hereof will not require any consent, approval,
          authorization, or other order of any court, regulatory body,
          administrative agency or other governmental body (except as may be
          required under the Act, state securities laws or Blue Sky laws) and
          will not result in a breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or
          constitute a default under, the organizational documents of such
          Selling Stockholder, if not an individual, or any indenture, mortgage,
          deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling
          Stockholder is a party, or of any order, rule or regulation applicable
          to such Selling Stockholder of any court or of any regulatory body or
          administrative agency or other governmental body having jurisdiction.

          (iii)  Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take,
          directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or which has
          constituted, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result
          in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Stock
          of the Company and, other than as permitted by the Act, the Selling
          Stockholder will not distribute any prospectus or other offering
          material in connection with the offering of the Shares.

          (iv)  Without having undertaken to determine independently the
          accuracy or completeness of either the representations and warranties
          of the Company contained herein or the information contained in the
          Registration Statement, such Selling Stockholder has no reason to
          believe that the representations and warranties of the Company
          contained in this Section 1 are not true and correct, is familiar with
          the Registration Statement and has no knowledge of any material fact,
          condition or information not disclosed in the Registration Statement
          which has adversely affected or may adversely affect the business of
          the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; and the sale of the Shares by
          such Selling Stockholder pursuant hereto is not prompted by any
          information concerning the Company or any of the Subsidiaries which is
          not set forth in the Registration Statement or the documents
          incorporated by reference therein.  The information pertaining to such
          Selling Stockholder the caption "Principal and Selling Stockholders"
          in the Prospectus is complete and accurate in all material respects.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
2.  PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE FIRM SHARES.

          (a)  On the basis of the representations, warranties and covenants
herein contained, and subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Company Shares and the Selling
Stockholders, severally and not jointly, agree to sell to the several
Underwriters the portion of the Firm Shares set forth on Schedule II hereof to
be sold by them, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase, at a price of $_____ per share, the number of Firm Shares set forth
opposite the name of each Underwriter in Schedule I hereof, subject to
adjustments in accordance with Section 9 hereof.

          (b)  Certificates in negotiable form for the total number of the
Shares to be sold hereunder by the Selling Stockholders, endorsed in blank for
transfer, have been placed in custody with [First Union Bank of North Carolina]
as custodian (the "Custodian") pursuant to the Custody Agreement executed by
each Selling Stockholder for delivery of all Shares to be sold hereunder by the
Selling Stockholders.  Each of the Selling Stockholders specifically agrees that
the Shares represented by the certificates held in custody for the Selling
Stockholders under the Custody Agreement are subject to the interests of the
Underwriters hereunder, that the arrangements made by the Selling Stockholders
for such custody are to that extent irrevocable, and that the obligations of the
Selling Stockholders hereunder shall not be terminable by any act or deed of the
Selling Stockholders (or by any other person, firm or corporation including the
Company, the Custodian or the Underwriters) or by operation of law (including
the death of an individual Selling Stockholder or the dissolution of a corporate
Selling Stockholder) or by the occurrence of any other event or events, except
as set forth in the Custody Agreement.  If any such event should occur prior to
the delivery to the Underwriters of the Shares hereunder, the Shares shall be
delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement as if such event has not occurred.  The Custodian is authorized to
receive and acknowledge receipt of the proceeds of sale of the Shares held by it
against delivery of such Shares.

          (c)  Payment for the Firm Shares to be sold hereunder (i) by the
Company, is to be made by wire transfer of federal or other immediately
available funds to the order of the Company and (ii) by the Selling
Stockholders, is to be made [by wire transfer of federal or other immediately
available funds to the order of ["First Union Bank of North Carolina, as
Custodian"], in each case against delivery of certificates therefor to the
Representatives for the several accounts of the Underwriters.  Such payment and
delivery are to be made at the offices of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, One South
Street, Baltimore, Maryland, at 10:00 a.m., Baltimore time, on the third
business day after the date of this Agreement (or, if the Representatives shall
determine the price of the Firm Shares after 4:30 p.m., Baltimore time on the
date hereof, the fourth business day) or at such other time and date not later
than five business days thereafter as you and the Company shall agree upon, such
time and date being herein referred to as the "Closing Date." (As

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
used herein, "business day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading and on which banks in New York are open for business and are
not permitted by law or executive order to be closed.) The certificates for the
Firm Shares will be delivered in such denominations and in such registrations as
the Representatives request in writing not later than the second full business
day prior to the Closing Date, and will be made available for inspection by the
Representatives at least one business day prior to the Closing Date.

          (d) In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties
herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the
Company and certain of the Selling Stockholders, as set forth on Schedule II
hereto, hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase the
Option Shares at the price per share as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Section 2. The option granted hereby may be exercised in whole or in part by
giving written notice (i) at any time before the Closing Date and (ii) only once
thereafter within 30 days after the date of this Agreement, by you, as
Representatives of the several Underwriters, to the Company, the Attorney-in-
Fact and the Custodian setting forth the number of Option Shares as to which the
several Underwriters are exercising the option, the names and denominations in
which the Option Shares are to be registered and the time and date at which such
certificates are to be delivered. If the option granted hereby is exercised in
part, the respective number of Option Shares to be sold by each of the Company
and the Selling Stockholders set forth on Schedule II hereto shall be one-half
of the number of Option Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters. The
time and date at which certificates for Option Shares are to be delivered shall
be determined by the Representatives but shall not be earlier than three nor
later than 10 full business days after the exercise of such option, nor in any
event prior to the Closing Date (such time and date being herein referred to as
the "Option Closing Date"). If the date of exercise of the option is three or
more days before the Closing Date, the notice of exercise shall set the Closing
Date as the Option Closing Date. The number of Option Shares to be purchased by
each Underwriter shall be in the same proportion to the total number of Option
Shares being purchased as the number of Firm Shares being purchased by such
Underwriter bears to 1,300,000, adjusted by you in such manner as to avoid
fractional shares. The option with respect to the Option Shares granted
hereunder may be exercised only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the Firm
Shares by the Underwriters. You, as Representatives of the several Underwriters,
may cancel such option at any time prior to its expiration by giving written
notice of such cancellation to the Company. To the extent, if any, that the
option is exercised, payment for the Option Shares (i) purchased by the Company
shall be made on the Option Closing Date by wire transfer of federal or other
immediately available funds to the order of the Company and (ii) purchased by
the Selling Stockholder shall be made on the Option Closing Date by wire
transfer of federal or other immediately available funds to the order of the
["First Union Bank of North Carolina, as Custodian"], in each case against
delivery of
                              12
<PAGE>
 
certificates therefor at the offices of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, One South
Street, Baltimore, Maryland.

          (e)  If on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, any Selling
Stockholder fails to sell the Shares for which such Selling Stockholder has
agreed to sell on such date as set forth in Schedule II hereto, the Company
agrees that it will sell or arrange for the sale of that number of shares of
Common Stock to the Underwriters which represents the Shares which such Selling
Stockholder has failed to so sell, or such lesser number as may be requested by
the Representatives.

3.  OFFERING BY THE UNDERWRITERS.

          It is understood that the several Underwriters are to make a public
offering of the Firm Shares as soon as the Representatives deem it advisable to
do so. The Firm Shares are to be initially offered to the public at the initial
public offering price set forth in the Prospectus. The Representatives may from
time to time thereafter change the public offering price and other selling
terms. To the extent, if at all, that any Option Shares are purchased pursuant
to Section 2 hereof, the Underwriters will offer them to the public on the
foregoing terms.

          It is further understood that you will act as the Representatives for
the Underwriters in the offering and sale of the Shares in accordance with a
Master Agreement Among Underwriters entered into by you and the several other
Underwriters.

4.  COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.

          (a)  The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters
that:

          (i)  The Company will (A) use its best efforts to cause the
          Registration Statement to become effective or, if the procedure in
          Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations is followed, to prepare and
          timely file with the Commission under Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
          Regulations a Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives
          containing information previously omitted at the time of effectiveness
          of the Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A of the Rules
          and Regulations, (B) not file any amendment to the Registration
          Statement or supplement to the Prospectus of which the Representatives
          shall not previously have been advised and furnished with a copy or to
          which the Representatives shall have reasonably objected in writing or
          which is not in compliance with the Rules and Regulations and (C) file
          on a timely basis all reports and any definitive proxy or information
          statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and prior to the termination
          of the offering of the Shares by the Underwriters.

          (ii)  The Company will advise the Representatives promptly (A) when
          the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
          shall have become effective, (B) of receipt of any comments from the
          Commission, (C) of any request of the Commission for amendment of the
          Registration Statement or for supplement to the Prospectus or for any
          additional information and (D) of the issuance by the Commission of
          any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
          Statement or the use of the Prospectus or of the institution of any
          proceedings for that purpose.  The Company will use its best efforts
          to prevent the issuance of any such stop order preventing or
          suspending the use of the Prospectus and to obtain as soon as possible
          the lifting thereof, if issued.

          (iii)  The Company will cooperate with the Representatives in
          endeavoring to qualify the Shares for sale under the securities laws
          of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably have
          designated in writing and will make such applications, file such
          documents, and furnish such information as may be reasonably required
          for that purpose, provided the Company shall not be required to
          qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to
          service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
          qualified or required to file such a consent. The Company will, from
          time to time, prepare and file such statements, reports, and other
          documents, as are or may be required to continue such qualifications
          in effect for so long a period as the Representatives may reasonably
          request for distribution of the Shares.

          (iv)  The Company will deliver to, or upon the order of, the
          Representatives, from time to time, as many copies of any Preliminary
          Prospectus as the Representatives may reasonably request.  The Company
          will deliver to, or upon the order of, the Representatives during the
          period when delivery of a Prospectus is required under the Act, as
          many copies of the Prospectus in final form, or as thereafter amended
          or supplemented, as the Representatives may reasonably request.  The
          Company will deliver to the Representatives at or before the Closing
          Date, three signed copies of the Registration Statement and all
          amendments thereto including all exhibits filed therewith, and will
          deliver to the Representatives such number of copies of the
          Registration Statement (including such number of copies of the
          exhibits filed therewith that may reasonably be requested) and of all
          amendments thereto, as the Representatives may reasonably request.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          (v)  The Company will comply with the Act and the Rules and
          Regulations, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
          Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, so
          as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Shares as
          contemplated in this Agreement and the Prospectus.  If during the
          period in which a prospectus is required by law to be delivered by an
          Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur as a result of which, in
          the judgment of the Company or in the reasonable opinion of the
          Underwriters, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the
          Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
          the circumstances existing at the time the Prospectus is delivered to
          a purchaser, not misleading, or, if it is necessary at any time to
          amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with any law, the Company
          promptly will prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate
          amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the
          Prospectus so that the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will
          not, in the light of the circumstances when it is so delivered, be
          misleading, or so that the Prospectus will comply with the law.

          (vi)  The Company will make generally available to its security
          holders, as soon as it is practicable to do so, but in any event not
          later than 15 months after the effective date of the Registration
          Statement, an earning statement (which need not be audited) in
          reasonable detail, covering a period of at least 12 consecutive months
          beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement,
          which earning statement shall satisfy the requirements of Section
          11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations and will
          advise you in writing when such statement has been so made available.

          (vii)  The Company will, for a period of five years from the Closing
          Date, deliver to the Representatives copies of annual reports and
          copies of all other documents, reports and information furnished by
          the Company to its stockholders or filed with any securities exchange
          pursuant to the requirements of such exchange or with the Commission
          pursuant to the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The
          Company will deliver to the Representatives similar reports with
          respect to significant subsidiaries, as that term is defined in the
          Rules and Regulations, which are not consolidated in the Company's
          financial statements.

          (viii)  No offering, sale, short sale or other disposition of any
          shares of Common Stock or other securities convertible into or
          exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock  or derivative
          of Common Stock  (or agreement for such) will be made for a period of
          180 days after the date of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, by
          the Company

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
          otherwise than hereunder or with the prior written consent of Alex.
          Brown & Sons Incorporated, provided, however, that the Company may
          grant options to purchase, and issue, shares of Common Stock under the
          stock option plan of the Company which is in effect as of the date of
          this Agreement and is described in the Prospectus.

          (ix)  The Company will use its best efforts to have the Shares
          included for quotation on The Nasdaq National Market.

          (x)  The Company has caused each executive officer and director of the
          Company, and each stockholder of the Company listed on Schedule III,
          to furnish to you, on or prior to the date of this agreement, a letter
          or letters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters,
          pursuant to which each such person shall agree not to offer, sell,
          sell short or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock of the
          Company or other capital stock of the Company, or any other securities
          convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares or
          derivative of Common Shares owned by such person or request the
          registration for the offer or sale of any of the foregoing  (or as to
          which such person has the right to direct the disposition of) for a
          period of 90 days after the date of this Agreement, directly or
          indirectly, except with the prior written consent of BT Alex. Brown
          Incorporated ("Lockup Agreements").

          (xi)  The Company shall apply the net proceeds of its sale of the
          Shares as set forth in the Prospectus and shall file such reports with
          the Commission with respect to the sale of the Shares and the
          application of the proceeds therefrom as may be required in accordance
          with Rule 463 under the Act.

          (xii)  The Company shall not invest, or otherwise use the proceeds
          received by the Company from its sale of the Shares in such a manner
          as would require the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to register as
          an investment company under the 1940 Act.

          (xiii)  The Company will maintain a transfer agent and, if necessary
          under the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, a registrar
          for the Common.

          (xiv)  The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action
          designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or might
          reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or
          manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Each of the Selling Stockholders covenants and agrees with the
several Underwriters that:

          (i)  No offering, sale, short sale or other disposition of any shares
          of Common Stock of the Company or other capital stock of the Company
          or other securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for
          Common Stock or derivative of Common Stock owned by the Selling
          Stockholder or request the registration for the offer or sale of any
          of the foregoing (or as to which the Selling Stockholder has the right
          to direct the disposition of) will be made for a period of 90 days
          after the date of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, by such
          Selling Stockholder otherwise than hereunder or with the prior written
          consent of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated.

          (ii)  In order to document the Underwriters' compliance with the
          reporting and withholding provisions of the Tax Equity and Fiscal
          Responsibility Act of 1982 and the Interest and Dividend Tax
          Compliance Act of 1983 with respect to the transactions herein
          contemplated, each of the Selling Stockholders agrees to deliver to
          you prior to or at the Closing Date a properly completed and executed
          United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or other applicable form
          or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations in lieu
          thereof).

          (iii)  Such Selling Stockholder will not take, directly or indirectly,
          any action designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or
          might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or
          manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company.

5.  COSTS AND EXPENSES.

          The Company will pay all costs, expenses and fees incident to the
performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:  accounting
fees of the Company; the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and
the Selling Stockholders; the cost of printing and delivering to, or as
requested by, the Underwriters copies of the Registration Statement, Preliminary
Prospectuses, the Prospectus, this Agreement,  the Underwriters' Selling
Memorandum, the Underwriters' Invitation Letter,  the Nasdaq Application, the
Blue Sky Survey and any supplements or amendments thereto; the filing fees of
the Commission; the filing fees and expenses (including legal fees and
disbursements) incident to securing any required review by the NASD of the terms
of the sale of the Shares; the Application Fee of The Nasdaq National Market;
and the expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Underwriters, incurred in

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
connection with the qualification of the Shares under State securities or Blue
Sky laws. To the extent, if at all, that any of the Selling Stockholders engage
separate legal counsel to represent them in connection with this offering, the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by such Selling Stockholder.
Any transfer taxes imposed on the sale of the Shares to the several Underwriters
will be paid by the Sellers pro rata. The Company agrees to pay all costs and
expenses of the Underwriters, including the fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Underwriters, incident to the offer and sale of directed shares of the
Common Stock by the Underwriters to employees and persons having business
relationships with the Company and its Subsidiaries. The [Sellers] shall not,
however, be required to pay for any of the Underwriters' expenses (other than
those related to qualification under NASD regulation and State securities or
Blue Sky laws) except that, if this Agreement shall not be consummated because
the conditions in Section 6 hereof are not satisfied, or because this Agreement
is terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 11(b)(i), (vi) or (vii)
hereof, or by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the
Company or the Selling Shareholders to perform any undertaking or satisfy any
condition of this Agreement or to comply with any of the terms hereof on their
part to be performed, unless such failure to satisfy said condition or to comply
with said terms be due to the default or omission of any Underwriter, then the
Company shall reimburse the several Underwriters for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred in
connection with investigating, marketing and proposing to market the Shares or
in contemplation of performing their obligations hereunder; but the Company and
the Selling Stockholders shall not in any event be liable to any of the several
Underwriters for damages on account of loss of anticipated profits from the sale
by them of the Shares.

6.  CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS.

          The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Firm
Shares on the Closing Date and the Option Shares, if any, on the Option Closing
Date are subject to the accuracy, as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, as the case may be, of the representations and warranties of the Company
and the Selling Stockholders contained herein, and to the performance by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders of their covenants and obligations
hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

          (a)  The Registration Statement and all post-effective amendments
thereto shall have become effective and any and all filings required by Rule 424
and Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations shall have been made, and any request
of the Commission for additional information (to be included in the Registration
Statement or otherwise) shall have been disclosed to the Representatives and
complied with to their reasonable satisfaction.  No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, shall
have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been taken or,
to

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
the knowledge of the Company or the Selling Stockholders, shall be contemplated
by the Commission and no injunction, restraining order, or order of any nature
by a Federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued as
of the Closing Date which would prevent the issuance or sale of any of the
Shares.

          (b)  The Representatives shall have received on the Closing Date or
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the opinion of Willkie Farr &
Gallagher, counsel for the Company and the Selling Stockholders, dated the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, addressed to the
Underwriters (and stating that it may be relied upon by counsel to the
Underwriters) to the effect that:

          (i)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
          corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
          with corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and
          conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement; each
          of the Subsidiaries organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
          has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in
          good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
          with corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and
          conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement; the
          Company is duly qualified to transact business in Florida and
          Connecticut; and the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of
          the Subsidiaries organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
          have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
          non-assessable and are owned by the Company or a Subsidiary; and, to
          the best of such counsel's knowledge, the outstanding shares of
          capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries organized under the laws of
          the State of Delaware is owned free and clear of all liens,
          encumbrances and equities and claims other than the security interests
          therein granted to the Company's bank lenders under its term loan and
          revolving credit facility, and no options, warrants or other rights to
          purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other rights to
          convert any obligations into any shares of capital stock or of
          ownership interests in the Subsidiaries are outstanding.

          (ii)  The Company has authorized and outstanding capital stock as set
          forth under the caption "Capitalization" in the Prospectus under the
          heading "March 28, 1998 -- Actual"; the authorized shares of the
          Company's Common Stock have been duly authorized; the outstanding
          shares of the Company's Common Stock, including the Shares to be sold
          by the Selling Stockholders, have been duly authorized and validly
          issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; all of the Shares
          conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the
          certificates for the Shares, assuming they are in the form filed with
          the

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          Commission, are in due and proper form; the shares of Common Stock,
          including the Option Shares, if any, to be sold by the Company
          pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized and will be
          validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable when issued and paid for
          as contemplated by this Agreement; and no preemptive rights of
          stockholders exist with respect to any of the Shares or the issue or
          sale thereof.

          (iii)  Except as described in or contemplated by the Prospectus, to
          the knowledge of such counsel, there are no outstanding securities of
          the Company convertible or exchangeable into or evidencing the right
          to purchase or subscribe for any shares of capital stock of the
          Company and there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants
          or rights of any character obligating the Company to issue any shares
          of its capital stock or any securities convertible or exchangeable
          into or evidencing the right to purchase or subscribe for any shares
          of such stock; and except as described in the Prospectus, to the
          knowledge of such counsel, no holder of any securities of the Company
          or any other person has the right, contractual or otherwise, which has
          not been satisfied or effectively waived,  to cause the Company to
          sell or otherwise issue to them, or to permit them to underwrite the
          sale of, any of the Shares or the right to have any shares of Common
          Stock or other securities of the Company included in the Registration
          Statement or the right, as a result of the filing of the Registration
          Statement, to require registration under the Act of any shares of
          Common Stock or other securities of the Company.

          (iv)  The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act
          and, to the knowledge of such counsel, no stop order proceedings with
          respect thereto have been instituted or are pending or threatened
          under the Act.

          (v)  The Registration Statement, the Prospectus and each amendment or
          supplement thereto comply as to form in all material respects with the
          requirements of the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
          applicable and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder (except
          that such counsel need express no opinion as to the financial
          statements and notes thereto, related schedules and other financial
          data and statistical information included therein or excluded
          therefrom).

          (vi)  The statements under the captions "Certain Transactions,"
          "Shares Eligible for Future Sale," and "Description of Capital Stock"
          in the Prospectus, and in Items 14 and 15 in the Registration
          Statement, insofar as such statements constitute a summary of
          documents

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
          referred to therein or matters of law, fairly summarize in all
          material respects the information called for with respect to such
          documents and matters.

          (vii)  Such counsel does not know of any contracts or documents
          required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or
          described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which are
          not so filed or described as required, and such contracts and
          documents as are summarized in the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus are fairly summarized in all material respects.

          (viii)  Such counsel knows of no material legal or governmental
          proceedings pending or threatened against the Company or any of the
          Subsidiaries except as set forth or otherwise referred to in the
          Prospectus.

          (ix)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
          consummation of the transactions herein contemplated do not and will
          not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or
          provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Restated Certificate
          of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or any material agreement
          or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or any of the
          Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of the
          Subsidiaries may be bound.

          (x)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
          by the Company.

          (xi)  No approval, consent, order, authorization, designation,
          declaration or filing by or with any regulatory, administrative or
          other governmental body is necessary in connection with the execution
          and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
          transactions herein contemplated (other than as may be required by the
          NASD or as required by State securities and Blue Sky laws as to which
          such counsel need express no opinion) except such as have been
          obtained or made, specifying the same.

          (xii)  The Company is not, and will not become, as a result of the
          consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
          application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the
          Prospectus, required to register as an investment company under the
          1940 Act.

          (xiii)  All filings required to have been made pursuant to Rules 424
          or 430A under the Act have been made.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          (xiv)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
          on behalf of the Selling Stockholders.

          (xv)  Each Selling Stockholder has full legal right, power and
          authority, and any approval required by law (other than as required by
          State securities and Blue Sky laws as to which such counsel need
          express no opinion), to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the portion
          of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder.

          (xvi)  The Custody Agreement  and the Power of Attorney executed and
          delivered by each Selling Stockholder are valid and binding.

          (xvi)  The Underwriters (assuming that they are bona fide purchasers
          within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code) have acquired good
          and marketable title to the Shares being sold by each Selling
          Stockholder on the Closing Date, and the Option Closing Date, as the
          case may be, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
          equities and adverse claims.

          In rendering such opinion Willkie Farr & Gallagher may rely as to
matters governed by the laws of states other than New York or Federal securities
laws on local counsel in such jurisdictions, provided that in each case Willkie
Farr & Gallagher shall state that they believe that they and the Underwriters
are justified in relying on such other counsel.  In addition to the matters set
forth above, such opinion shall also include a statement to the effect that
nothing has come to the attention of such counsel which leads them to believe
that (i) the Registration Statement, at the time it became effective under the
Act (but after giving effect to any modifications incorporated therein pursuant
to Rule 430A under the Act) and as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, as the case may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and (ii) the Prospectus, or any
supplement thereto, on the date it was filed pursuant to the Rules and
Regulations and as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading (except that, in the
case of each of clause (i) and (ii), such counsel need express no view as to
financial statements and notes thereto, schedules and other financial data and
statistical information therein or excluded therefrom).  With respect to such
statement, Willkie Farr & Gallagher may state that their belief is based upon
the procedures set forth therein, but is without independent check and
verification.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  The Representatives shall have received from Hogan & Hartson
L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, an opinion dated the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, as the case may be, substantially to the effect specified
in subparagraphs (ii) (but only with respect to the penultimate clause thereof),
(iv), (v), (vi) (but only with respect to "Description of Capital Stock" and, in
addition, the statements under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus),
(x) and (xii) of Paragraph (b) of this Section 6, and that the Company is a duly
organized and validly existing corporation under the laws of the State of
Delaware. In addition to the matters set forth above, such opinion shall also
include a statement to the effect that nothing has come to the attention of such
counsel which leads them to believe that (i) the Registration Statement, or any
amendment thereto, as of the time it became effective under the Act (but after
giving effect to any modifications incorporated therein pursuant to Rule 430A
under the Act) as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and (ii) the Prospectus, or any supplement thereto, on
the date it was filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations and as of the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact, necessary in
order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading (except that, in the case of each of clause (i) and
(ii), such counsel need express no view as to financial statements and notes
thereto, schedules and other financial data and statistical information therein
or excluded therefrom).  With respect to such statement, Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
may state that their belief is based upon the procedures set forth therein, but
is without independent check and verification.

          (d)  The Representatives shall have received at or prior to the
Closing Date from Hogan & Hartson a memorandum or summary, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives, with respect to the qualification for
offering and sale by the Underwriters of the Shares under the State securities
or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably
have designated to the Company.

          (e)  The Representatives shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion of Epstein, Edell & Retzer, patent counsel for the Company, dated the
Closing Date, to the effect that:

          (i) Such counsel represents the Company in certain matters relating to
          intellectual property and is familiar with the technology used by the
          Company in its business.

          (ii) The statements in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
          under the captions "Risk Factors--Uncertainty Regarding Patents and
          Proprietary Rights" and "Business--Patents, Trade Secrets

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          and Proprietary Information," to the best of such counsel's knowledge
          and belief, are, insofar as such statements constitute a summary of
          legal matters, documents or proceedings, accurate and complete
          statements or summaries of the matters therein set forth.

          (iii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge there are no material
          legal or governmental proceedings pending relating to patent rights,
          trade secrets, trademarks, service marks or other proprietary
          information or materials of the Company (other than patent and
          trademark applications and associated proceedings), and to the best of
          such counsel's knowledge no such proceedings are threatened or
          contemplated by governmental authorities or others.

          (iv) Such counsel does not know of any contracts or other documents,
          relating to the Company's patents, trade secrets, trademarks or
          service marks or other proprietary information or materials of a
          character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
          Statement or required to be described in the Registration Statement or
          Prospectus that are not filed or described as required.

          (v) Such counsel has reviewed the Company's patent applications filed
          in the U.S. and outside the U.S. (the "Applications") and based upon
          such review, a review of the prior art references made known to
          counsel and discussions with the Company's scientific personnel, to
          such counsel's knowledge, the Company is not infringing or otherwise
          violating patents, trade secrets, trademarks or service marks or other
          proprietary information or materials, of others, and to the best of
          such counsel's knowledge, there are no infringements by others of any
          of the Company's patents, trade secrets, trademarks or service marks
          or other proprietary information or materials which in the judgment of
          such counsel could affect materially the use thereof by the Company.

          (vi) The Applications have been properly prepared and filed on behalf
          of the Company, and are being diligently pursued by the Company; the
          inventions described in the Applications are assigned or licensed to
          the Company; to such counsel's knowledge, except for patents where the
          Company has obtained a field of use license, no other entity or
          individual has any right or claim in any of the inventions,
          Applications, or any patent to be issued therefrom, and in such
          counsel's opinion each of the Applications discloses patentable
          subject matter.

          In addition to the matters set forth above, such opinion rendered by
Epstein, Edell & Retzer shall also include a statement to the effect that
nothing has

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
come to the attention of such counsel which leads them to believe that the
statements in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the captions
"Risk Factors--Uncertainty Regarding Patents and Proprietary Rights" and
"Business--Patents, Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information" contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          (f)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
opinion of Olson, Frank & Weeda, FDA counsel to the Company, dated the Closing
Date, to the effect that:

          (i) Such counsel represents the Company in certain matters relating to
          the United States Federal Food and Drug Cosmetic Act and related
          governmental regulatory matters.

          (ii) The statements in the Prospectus with respect to the receipt of
          FDA marketing clearance with respect to all of its currently-marketed
          products are true, correct and complete in all material respects and
          such counsel is not aware of any facts that would be a basis for the
          withdrawal of any such approvals by the FDA.

          (iii) The statements in the Prospectus under the captions "Risk
          Factors--Government Regulation" and "Business--Government Regulation,"
          in each case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the
          legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly
          present the information called for with respect to such legal matters,
          documents and proceedings and fairly summarize the matters referred to
          therein.

          (g)  You shall have received, on each of the dates hereof, the Closing
Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, a letter dated the date
hereof, the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form
and substance satisfactory to you, of Ernst & Young LLP confirming that they are
independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and the applicable
published Rules and Regulations thereunder and stating that in their opinion the
financial statements and schedules examined by them and included in the
Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related published Rules
and Regulations; and containing such other statements and information as is
ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to Underwriters with
respect to the financial statements and certain financial and statistical
information contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (h)  The Representatives shall have received on the Closing Date or
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate or certificates of
the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to
the effect that, as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, each of them severally represents on behalf of the Company as follows:

          (i) The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and
          no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
          Statement has been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose have
          been taken or are, to his knowledge, contemplated by the Commission;

          (ii) The representations and warranties of the Company contained in
          Section 1 hereof are true and correct as of the Closing Date or the
          Option Closing Date, as the case may be;

          (iii) He has carefully examined the Registration Statement and the
          Prospectus and, in his opinion, as of the effective date of the
          Registration Statement, the statements contained in the Registration
          Statement were true and correct, and such Registration Statement and
          Prospectus did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated
          therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not
          misleading, and since the effective date of the Registration
          Statement, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a
          supplement to or an amendment of the Prospectus which has not been so
          set forth in such supplement or amendment; and

          (iv) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
          the Registration Statement and Prospectus, there has not been any
          material adverse change or any development involving a prospective
          material adverse change in or affecting the condition, financial or
          otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the
          earnings, business, management, properties, assets, rights,
          operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
          Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising
          in the ordinary course of business.

          (i)  The Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have furnished to
the Representatives such further certificates and documents confirming the
representations and warranties, covenants and conditions contained herein and
related matters as the Representatives may reasonably have requested.

          (j)  The Firm Shares and Option Shares, if any, have been approved for
designation upon notice of issuance on The Nasdaq National Market.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          (k)  The Lockup Agreements described in Section 4(j) are in full force
and effect.

          The opinions and certificates mentioned in this Agreement shall be
deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in all
material respects reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives and to Hogan &
Hartson L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters.

          If any of the conditions hereinabove provided for in this Section 6
shall not have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement to be
fulfilled, the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by
the Representatives by notifying the Company and the Selling Stockholders of
such termination in writing or by telegram at or prior to the Closing Date or
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be.

          In such event, the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the
Underwriters shall not be under any obligation to each other (except to the
extent provided in Sections 5 and 8 hereof).

7.  CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS.

          The obligations of the Sellers to sell and deliver the portion of the
Shares required to be delivered as and when specified in this Agreement are
subject to the conditions that at the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date,
as the case may be, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and in effect or proceedings
therefor initiated or threatened.

8.  INDEMNIFICATION.

          (a)  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the
meaning of the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which
such Underwriter or any such controlling person may become subject under the Act
or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon  (i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or  (ii) the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading; and will reimburse each Underwriter and
each such controlling person upon demand for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or such controlling person in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage or liability,
action or proceeding or in responding to a subpoena or governmental inquiry
related to the offering of the Shares, whether or not such Underwriter or
controlling person is a

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
party to any action or proceeding; provided, however, that the Company will not
be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement, or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement,
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or such amendment or supplement, in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by or through the Representatives specifically for use in the
preparation thereof; provided further that this indemnity agreement shall not
inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or to the benefit of any person
controlling such Underwriter) on account of any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, action or proceeding arising from the sale of Shares by that
Underwriter if that Underwriter failed to send or give a copy of the Prospectus,
as the same may be amended or supplemented, to that person within the time
required by the Act, and the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact was
corrected in the Prospectus. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any
liability which the Company may otherwise have.

          (b)  Each Underwriter severally and not jointly will indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who have
signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities to which the Company or any such director, officer, or controlling
person may become subject under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon (i)  any untrue statement or alleged  untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or (ii) the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in the light of the  circumstances under which they were made; and
will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or
any such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action or
proceeding; provided, however, that each Underwriter will be liable in each case
to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission has been made in the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or such
amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by or through the Representatives
specifically for use in the preparation thereof.  This indemnity agreement will
be in addition to any liability which such Underwriter may otherwise have.

          (c)  In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation)
shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to this Section 8, such person (the "indemnified party") shall

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the
"indemnifying party") in writing.  No indemnification provided for in Section
8(a) or (b) shall be available to any party who shall fail to give notice as
provided in this Section 8(c) if the party to whom notice was not given was
unaware of the proceeding to which such notice would have related and was
materially prejudiced by the failure to give such notice, but the failure to
give such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party or parties from any
liability which it or they may have to the indemnified party for contribution or
otherwise than on account of the provisions of Section 8(a) or (b). In case any
such proceeding shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall
notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying
party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall
wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party and
shall pay as incurred the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such
proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right
to retain its own counsel at its own expense.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the indemnifying party shall pay as incurred (or within 30 days of presentation)
the fees and expenses of the counsel retained by the indemnified party in the
event (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually
agreed to the retention of such counsel, (ii) the named parties to any such
proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party
and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel
would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between
them or (iii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense and
employ counsel acceptable to the indemnified party within a reasonable period of
time after notice of commencement of the action. It is understood that the
indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related
proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm for all such indemnified parties. Such
firm shall be designated in writing by you in the case of parties indemnified
pursuant to Section 8(a) and by the Company in the case of parties indemnified
pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent but if settled
with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the
indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against
any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. In addition, the
indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment
in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding for which
indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any indemnified party is
an actual or potential party to such claim, action or proceeding) unless such
settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each
indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action or
proceeding.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
Section 8(a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) referred to therein,
then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Shares. If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof),
as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each
case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative
fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company
on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission.

          The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 8(d).  The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) referred
to above in this Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (d), (i) no Underwriter shall be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions
applicable to the Shares purchased by such Underwriter and  (ii) no person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations in this
Section 8(d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting obligations and not joint.

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
          (e)  In any proceeding relating to the Registration Statement, any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any supplement or amendment thereto,
each party against whom contribution may be sought under this Section 8 hereby
consents to the jurisdiction of any court having jurisdiction over any other
contributing party, agrees that process issuing from such court may be served
upon him or it by any other contributing party and consents to the service of
such process and agrees that any other contributing party may join him or it as
an additional defendant in any such proceeding in which such other contributing
party is a party.

          (f)  Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses for which an
indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this
Section 8 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred.  The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 8 and the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling
any Underwriter, the Company, its directors or officers or any persons
controlling the Company, (ii) acceptance of any Shares and payment therefor
hereunder, and (iii) any termination of this Agreement.  A successor to any
Underwriter, or to the Company, its directors or officers, or any person
controlling the Company, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity,
contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8.

9.  DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS.

          If on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
any Underwriter shall fail to purchase and pay for the portion of the Shares
which such Underwriter has agreed to purchase and pay for on such date
(otherwise than by reason of any default on the part of the Company or a Selling
Stockholder), you, as Representatives of the Underwriters, shall use your
reasonable efforts to procure within 36 hours thereafter one or more of the
other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase from the Company and the Selling
Stockholders such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms set forth
herein, the Firm Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, which the
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase.  If during such 36
hours you, as such Representatives, shall not have procured such other
Underwriters, or any others, to purchase the Firm Shares or Option Shares, as
the case may be, agreed to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters, then (a) if the aggregate number of shares with respect to which
such default shall occur does not exceed 10% of the Firm Shares or Option
Shares, as the case may be, covered hereby, the other Underwriters shall be
obligated, severally, in proportion to the respective numbers of Firm Shares or
Option Shares, as the case may be, which they are obligated to purchase
hereunder, to purchase the Firm Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be,
which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase, or  (b) if
the aggregate

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
number of shares of Firm Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, with
respect to which such default shall occur exceeds 10% of the Firm Shares or
Option Shares, as the case may be, covered hereby, the Company and the Selling
Stockholders or you as the Representatives of the Underwriters will have the
right, by written notice given within the next 36-hour period to the parties to
this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement without liability on the part of the
non-defaulting Underwriters or of the Company or of the Selling Stockholders
except to the extent provided in Section 8 hereof. In the event of a default by
any Underwriter or Underwriters, as set forth in this Section 9, the Closing
Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, may be postponed for such
period, not exceeding seven days, as you, as Representatives, may determine in
order that the required changes in the Registration Statement or in the
Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. The term
"Underwriter" includes any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter. Any
action taken under this Section 9 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter
from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this
Agreement.

10.  NOTICES.

          All communications hereunder shall be in writing and, except as
otherwise provided herein, will be mailed, delivered, telecopied or telegraphed
and confirmed as follows: if to the Underwriters, to BT Alex. Brown
Incorporated, One South Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, Attention: Alexander
T. Daignault Jr.; with a copy to BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, One South Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202, Attention: General Counsel; if to the Company or the
Selling Stockholders, to Xomed Surgical Products, Inc., 6743 Southpoint Drive
North, Jacksonville, Florida 32216, Attention: James T. Treace, with a copy to
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
Attention: Steven J. Gartner, Esq.

11.  TERMINATION.

          This Agreement may be terminated by you by notice to the Sellers as
follows:

          (a)  at any time prior to the earlier of  (i) the time the Shares are
released by you for sale by notice to the Underwriters, or  (ii) 11:30 a.m. on
the first business day following the date of this Agreement;

          (b)  at any time prior to the Closing Date if any of the following has
occurred: (i) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, any material adverse change or any
development involving a prospective material adverse change in or affecting the
condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole or the earnings, business, management, properties, assets, rights,
operations,

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or declaration of war
or national emergency or other national or international calamity or crisis or
change in economic or political conditions if the effect of such outbreak,
escalation, declaration, emergency, calamity, crisis or change on the financial
markets of the United States would, in your reasonable judgment, make it
impracticable to market the Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the
Shares, or (iii) suspension of trading in securities generally on the New York
Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or limitation on prices (other
than limitations on hours or numbers of days of trading or any limitation on
program trading pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange) for
securities on either such Exchange, (iv) the enactment, publication, decree or
other promulgation of any statute, regulation, rule or order of any court or
other governmental authority which in your reasonable opinion materially and
adversely affects or may materially and adversely affect the business or
operations of the Company, (v) declaration of a banking moratorium by United
States or New York State authorities, (vi) any downgrading in the rating of the
Company's debt securities by any "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Exchange Act);
(vii) the suspension of trading of the Company's common stock by the Commission
on The Nasdaq National Market or (viii) the taking of any action by any
governmental body or agency in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs which
in your reasonable opinion has a material adverse effect on the securities
markets in the United States; or

          (c)  as provided in Sections 6 and 9 of this Agreement.

12.  SUCCESSORS.

          This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the
Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders and their respective
successors, executors, administrators, heirs and assigns, and the officers,
directors and controlling persons referred to herein, and no other person will
have any right or obligation hereunder. No purchaser of any of the Shares from
any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign merely because of such
purchase.

13.  INFORMATION PROVIDED BY UNDERWRITERS.

          The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters acknowledge
and agree that the only information furnished or to be furnished by any
Underwriter to the Company for inclusion in any Prospectus or the Registration
Statement consists of the information set forth in the last paragraph on the
front cover page (insofar as such information relates to the Underwriters),
legends required by Item 502(d) of Regulation S-K under the Act and the
information under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
14.  MISCELLANEOUS.

          The reimbursement, indemnification and contribution agreements
contained in this Agreement and the representations, warranties and covenants in
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of  (a) any
termination of this Agreement,  (b) any investigation made by or on behalf of
any Underwriter or controlling person thereof, or by or on behalf of the Company
or its directors or officers and  (c) delivery of and payment for the Shares
under this Agreement.

          This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

          This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of Maryland.

          If the foregoing letter is in accordance with your understanding of
our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicates hereof,
whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the Company, the Selling
Stockholders and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

          Any person executing and delivering this Agreement as Attorney-in-Fact
for a Selling Stockholder represents by doing so that he has been duly appointed
as Attorney-in-Fact by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to a validly existing
and binding Power of Attorney which authorizes such Attorney-in-Fact to take
such action.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        XOMED SURGICAL PRODUCTS, INC.


                                        By:
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           [Name]
                                           [Title]


                                        SELLING STOCKHOLDERS,
                                          listed on Schedule II


                                        By:
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           [Name]
                                           Attorney-in-Fact

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement
is hereby confirmed and accepted as
of the date first above written.

BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
FURMAN SELZ LLC
PIPER JAFFRAY INC.

As Representatives of the several
Underwriters listed on Schedule I

By:  BT Alex. Brown Incorporated

By:
   -----------------------------------
   [Name]
   Authorized Officer

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
                                        
                            SCHEDULE OF UNDERWRITERS


Underwriter                             Number of Firm Shares to be Purchased

BT Alex. Brown Incorporated
Furman Selz LLC
Piper Jaffray Inc.

Total                                                           1,300,000

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II
                                        
                        SCHEDULE OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

Name                    Number of Firm Shares           Number of Option Shares





Total                          687,500                          97,500

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE III
                                        
                   SCHEDULE OF PARTIES TO LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS



Name

                                       38

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 [EXHIBIT 23.2]
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and
"Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and to the use of our report dated
February 16, 1998 in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related
Prospectus of Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. for the registration of 1,300,000
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of
our report dated February 16, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Xomed Surgical Products, Inc. included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
 
Jacksonville, Florida
May 22, 1998


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