What Is Alloderm?

AlloDerm® is donated human tissue from which all DNA has been removed. Used for years to replace missing or damaged tissue and cover wounds, donor tissue integrates with a patient’s natural tissue with minimal risk of infection or other post-operative problems. Some surgeons now use AlloDerm® with expanders. While this improves stabilization and coverage of the expander, it still requires the patient to endure the traditional two-stage expansion process.

We offer our patients an improved, abbreviated approach. Our One-Stage Breast Reconstruction with Implant and AlloDerm® produces superb cosmetic results and eliminates the need for expansion. We use layers of AlloDerm® to instantly create a pocket of sufficient size during the initial reconstructive surgery, while providing more complete coverage of exposed implant. This technique provides distinct benefits:

• Creates a full-size breast during the initial procedure, so a woman undergoing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction wakes up with a breast in place and her physical profile intact.
• Eliminates the discomfort and inconvenience of expansion.
• Eliminates the need for a second surgery to replace the expander.
• Provides one-stage reconstruction for women who combine this procedure with prophylactic subcutaneous mastectomy or nipple-sparing mastectomy.
• Accelerates patient recovery.
• Covers implant edges more adequately, eliminating the likelihood of rippling or wrinkling.