AlloDerm Explained
Modern Medicine has come a long way. The Pharmaceutical Industry as we know it began in 1928 when Sir Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin. The discovery of this antibiotic from the mould, Penicillium notatum, was stated by Time Magazine as the discovery that would change the course of history. This infection-fighting antibiotic inspired other scientists to produce their own synthetic versions of this drug that would go on to treat some of the most common and serious infections and diseases known to mankind.
Since 1994, the Biotechnology Company, LifeCell, has been a pioneer in regenerative medicine. Their success can be attributed to rising sales of their flagship product, AlloDerm.
AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix, is an Accellular Human Dermis, which is an organic tissue graft produced through a unique non-damaging process that allows the body to mount its own tissue regeneration process. Essentially, the skin, which is derived from cadavers, goes through a process to remove all off the epidermis and dermis skin layers leaving only the collagen and elastin framework of the skin. This process removes that elements of the skin that would ordinarily be rejected by the recipient leaving only what will be accepted by the new body, and ultimately assist in the cellular rebuilding process.
In 1994 AlloDerm was originally developed and used for grafts for burn patients. In the early 2000s it began being marketed for internal procedures. Currently, AlloDerm’s most common uses include hernia repair, abdominal wall reconstruction, and postmasectomy breast reconstruction. AlloDerm is also used by dentists for soft tissue and gum reconstruction.
As stated on LifeCell’s website. AlloDerm has been used successfully in more than one million grafts and implants to date. However, nothing is perfect, and it is impossible to measure success without acknowledging failures.
