Geneva  - Swiss medical devices manufacturer Synthes said Wednesday its third quarter sales were up 7.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, with strong orders from North America.

Consolidated sales for the first nine months of 2009 reached 2.5 billion dollars, an increase of 123.1 million.

However, in the Middle East and Latin America the company reported delays or absences of tender business and "postponements of elective surgeries at some major hospitals."

Looking ahead, Synthes, one of the largest makers of implants to mend bone fractures, said it "expects to maintain its current performance for the balance of the year despite a challenging global economic environment."(dpa)