Is Alloderm Not Sterile? Doctor Answers, Tips
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Is Alloderm Not Sterile?

I'm about to have surgery, where my doctor is going to use Alloderm. After reading that Alloderm is not sterile, how concerned should I be?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by mnjc in philadelphia
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Sterility of acellular dermal matrix

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is derived from human tissue and has proved very useful in breast reconstruction, hernia repair and a variety of other applications. Donors to the tissue banks are very carefully screened and consented prior to use of tissue, with only 3% of donors accepted (MTF). The dermal allograft is then subject to a variety of techniques that clean or sterilize the tissue. Some of the processes that sterilize the tissue result in damage to the tissue... more
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Alloderm is safe though not strictly sterile

Alloderm is a tissue matrix, a biological implant that becomes living tissue. Strictly speaking, although it is not associated with an increased risk of infection, it is not considred sterile because strerilization processes destroy the matrix. This would result in an infmammatory response instead of tissue integration. Other methods are used to remove bacteria and contaminants.
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AlloDerm is a tissue for transplantation, not a device

AlloDerm is a tissue for transplantation, not a device.  It meets the FDA requirements for human tissue transplantation.  It is tested to be negative for infectious diseases.
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Alloderm is sterile for implantation.

AlloDerm is a good product that has been on the market for some time.  We used it in the burn units, and continue to use it in breast reconstruction.  Some have used it cosmetically as well.  It goes through a rigorous process so that there is no bacteria in the material.  This process leaves the structure intact, which is key to success.
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Why isn't Alloderm sterile?

AlloDerm is a regenerative tissue matrix made from donate human skin. It is prepared by an enzymatic process that removes cells without destroying the extracellular matrix, composed of the bridging components of skin and proteins that actually enhance the body's ability to heal. This type of processing is considered aseptic, rather than sterile. Because of this AlloDerm is recognized as a tissue, not just as an implant. Reports of infection from AlloDerm are nearly zero.The advantage... more
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Sterility and alloderm

Hi, There is some confusion about the sterility of alloderm. Because it is a biologic mesh which supports tissue ingrowth, it can't be sterilized in a traditional manner. Traditional methods of sterilization involve using high heat to kill bacteria - in the case of Alloderm, that would destroy the biologic matrix. Alloderm does undergo rigorous processing, however, to ensure that all bacteria and cells are removed from the product. And, because it's a biologic matrix which your body... more
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Alloderm is sterile

Mnjc, I am not sure where you read that AlloDerm (or its close product Strattice) is not sterile. This cannot be farther than the truth. Both products from Life Cell undergo a rigorous processing and ARE sterile. They have been used in various areas of surgery for years and have an established safety record. If you really need the product, I would not worry about sterility. Good Luck.
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Alloderm is safe for implantation.

You should not be concerned about sterility issues with Alloderm. I have used the product since 1995 (initially in burn reconstruction and more recently, in breast reconstruction) and can attest that the manufacturer, LifeCell has extremely high quality control standards in production as well as in tracking any "complications", such as seroma, infection, delayed wound healing, transmissible viral particles. To my knowledge, there have never been any infections reported. The... more
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Alloderm is most certainly sterile

Greetings, I am not sure what you are reading but Alloderm is sterile otherwise it could not get approval for implantation into the body. The product is safe and used in many different ways.
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Comments (1)

jifloresmd 20 Sep 2012
You are correct and no MD should tell you different. Alloderm is not sterile. Yes lifecell does indeed perform a very rigorous cleaning and processing of alloderm, but it still is not sterile. There are other equal products that are sterile that can be used. You should ask your physician about these. I stop using alloderm for that very reason, i.e. if my surgical field, implant, and equipment are sterile, so shall my tissue implantation.

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