What is Alloderm? Is it true that some surgeons used Alloderm during a Mastectomy?

Thanks for the question.

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is a biological implant  that carries the ability to become integrated into native tissue. It is made by taking a full thickness section of skin from a donor source (human cadaver, porcine, or bovine in origin). In the case of human donors, the tissue is screened for infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Cellular elements are removed from the tissue.

ADM can be helpful in improving contour for significant irregularities after breast surgery. For example, top ability/rippling a breast implants maybe covered or camouflaged with the use ofADM. in addition significant income opposition can be corrected with ADM providing additional support for the implant. This can be especially helpful for patients with a paucity of skin elasticity or soft tissue coverage. For example,  ADM has been use successfully to reinforce and support capsulorraphy  to treat symmastia (medial malposition of breast implants), bottoming out (inferior malposition of breast implants), or lateral displacement (implants falling sideways especially when patient lies down) of breast implants.

I hope this helps.

Alloderm is acellular dermis. There is also a new competing product introduced called FlexHD and BellaDerm that I plan to trial in the near future. As the other plastic surgeons had mentioned it has been widely used in abdominal surgery and breast reconstruction. Facial plastic surgeons use this product occasionally to smooth nasal contour or build up the nasal bridge in revision rhinoplasty. Also in reconstruction, acellular dermis can be used to cover implant materials or to provide bulk to the reconstructed area. It is a safe product to use but is not living tissue. Therefore it should be used cautiously and only by surgeons experienced in its use.Stephen Weber MD, FACS