Is There a Risk of Alloderm Causing Infection?

Anytime you have surgery, or implant a foreign
substance into your body, there is always some potential risk for
infection.You are correct in that
Alloderm does come from donor tissue.However, with that being said, Alloderm is stripped of the epidermis and
cells that could lead to tissue rejection and infection.The result is simply an acellular matrix that
can work wonders in breast reconstruction surgery.In simpler terms, Alloderm is cadaver skin
that has had all of the cells taken out of it, and only collagen remains.Alloderm is tested and screened by the FDA,
as well as under strict temperature control to maximize the safety of the product.I have used Alloderm in many breast
reconstruction cases and have had minimal number of complications or patient
infections.

I have been using AlloDerm and breast reconstruction surgery for the last 5 years. Clinically I haven't noticed an increase in postmastectomy reconstruction surgeries using AlloDerm and tissue expanders or implants. I think most of my colleagues agree that AlloDerm does not cause an increased rate of infection. It is a product that has really improved the overall results of postmastectomy reconstruction is using implant products. It also is very useful in both aesthetic and reconstructive breast revisional surgery.

One thing that will increase post mastectomy immediate reconstruction is the use of implants in a subglandular location. Not to mention the increased problems with capsular contracture and revisions.

Alloderm is a unique product derived from donated skin with all of the cells removed, leaving the collagen matrix which serves as a template for your own tissue to regenerate. I have been using it for more than 10 years and have had a very good experience with it. Although it is not strictly sterile, there have been no reported instances of infection transmitted from the donor. There are other products that have been put through a sterilization process but they all damage the collagen matrix so they don't perform the same as alloderm in terms of the body's response to the graft.

It is logical to be concerned regarding the risk of HIV, Hepatitis, or some other serious infection when Alloderm is implanted.  The processing of this human-derived material destroys these pathogens.  Essentially, there is no risk of transmissible illness.  However, alloderm is not your own native tissue.  Thus, though the risk is small, there is a slightly increased risk of infection following surgery with this substance.  There are newer materials like alloderm (surgimend, surgisis, etc) that each have positives and negatives.  They are all essentially dermal matrices (They all help your body to rebuild a layer of tissue).  The best tissue is your own tissue.  Following a mastectomy, however, much of your own tissue is lost.  Sometimes a supplement is necessary.  These materials are all deemed safe.  I use them only when necessary.  They add expense and surgical time to a procedure.

It is processed skin which goes through a rigorous process of identifying any infections or diseases like HIV, Hepatitis etc. It has been used extensively and has great track record. It is well tolerated and with time gets incorporated into your own tissues.
Regards