Alloderm for Breast Reconstruction?

Alloderm, is a product made by life cell corporation. It is the first to popularize the product for breast reconstruction. This product is a cadaveric skin that has been treated to not cause rejection. The dermal collagen matrix is repopulated by the host's cells and integrated in the body. Alloderm is not truly sterile but It has been treated with antibiotics to be aseptic. There are other products on the market now. Some of them are sterile. These products have revolutionized the... more

There are times when it is an extremely important part of the reconstruction, and other times when it is not necessary. Basically, alloderm is an acellualr dermal matrix, harvesteded from the underside of human skin and, after the cells are removed, prepared for use in patients. It can be extremely helpful in breast reconstruction with both expanders and implants, making the reconstruction quicker and easier, and often improving the appearance of the reconstructed breast. ... more

You are correct that not many surgeon's understand the use of the AlloDerm product. It is very important to do your research and chose a surgeon who has worked with this product before. There are many factors related with reconstruction of the breast - please make sure you are seeing an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to assist you.

AlloDerm product is human donor skin that has been treated to not cause rejection, leaving only a dermal collagen matrix. The dermal collagen matrix is incorporated by the hosts own body tissues. It has significantly improved results in breast reconstruction and also in complex aesthetic cases with recurrent intractable capsular contractures.

The "best" breast reconstruction depends on many variables, including patient breast size, unilateral or bilateral reconstruction, patient body habitus and history of radiation.  In terms of tissue expander/implant reconstruction, using alloderm is not necessarily better than not using it.  As a plastic surgeon that offers both options, I can tell you that there have been studies in our main journal that have shown no difference in cosmetic outcome for tissue... more

When placing an expander for breast reconstruction, I universally use Alloderm (or other human-derived dermal matrix).  The innovation of using this material in breast reconstruction has enabled the plastic surgeon to place more fluid immediately in the expander which lessens the number of post-operative visits for fills. The pain/discomfort during the filling process is also markedly reduced because the muscle is not streched nearly to the degree as it is without Alloderm. ... more

Alloderm is a dermal matrix from cadaver skin. The skin is processed, removing all living cells, antibodies, and identifiers from the donor. What this process leaves is a lattice of collagen. Essentially, Alloderm is a framework of protein. There is nothing "living" in Alloderm. Imagine removing everything from a house except the 2x4 framework. If your skin is the house, then the 2x4 framework is the Alloderm. After it is placed in the body, new blood vessels will grow into... more

Alloderm really is now the standard or care with any sort of immediate breast reconstruction utilizing tissue expanders/implants.  If a surgeon is not familiar with the techniques, then they probably do not do alot of breast reconstructiuons.  Alloderm spares some muscle dissection, really helps secure the expander/implnat, and really helps with the inframammary fold area.  The rates of infection are extremely low, and their really should be no rejection of the tissue... more

Our patient s commonly ask to know what is the single "THE BEST" alternative. Sometimes the answer is rather easy -- Most of the time, when there are many solutions -- each of which could be applied, depending on the woman's circumstances, wishes and the surgeon's preferences and experience - there is NO ONE BEST alternative. Breast Reconstruction choices are divided into 5 large groups - 1. IMMEDIATE reconstruction (at the time of mastectomy - (with your own tissue flaps), 2.... more

Hello, Alloderm is very simply "natural" padding used in breast reconstruction cases with implants and expanders. It can reduce the tendency for implant reconstructions to look less natural. Surgeons disagree on its usefulness but is quite easy to place. I consider it in thin patients who do not want tissue-based reconstruction techniques.

I think AlloDerm has dramatically improved results in breast reconstruction.  Using AlloDerm with a silicone implant, very naturally-appearing reconstructed breasts can be achieved.  I personally have not seen any increase in infection rates with the use of AlloDerm.

A "viable" living cadaveric dermal graft, which is what Alloderm is cannot strictly speaking be "sterilized", without changing its characteristics, which make it so desirable for breast reconstruction. I have offered breast cancer patients the choice of utilizing Alloderm in the immediate and delayed setting for the past 5 years. It isn't always for a woman who is struggling with an unexpected and frightening diagnosis to fully comprehend all technical details, however... more