alloderm questions

ocean_snow
ocean_snow Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
alloderm questions
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  • ocean_snow
    ocean_snow Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2008

    My plastic surgeon would like to use alloderm (cadaver skin) for my reconstruction by cutting my lower chest muscle and sewing alloderm between the split muscle. I have been calling many breast cancer groups and nobody has heard of alloderm.



    Has anyone had this?

    Is this a common, safe procedure?

    What are the advantages of cutting the chest muscle and using alloderm?

    What are the disadvantages?

    Will I loose arm/chest muscle strength?

    Does anyone know about the percentage of graph rejections?

    Under what circumstances could it be rejected?



    Thank you.

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  • treesie
    treesie Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2008

    ocean_snow,

                Not sure if you got an answer to your question.  I worked as a dental assistant for 10 years with a periodontist.  We used Alloderm( which is freeze dried dermis/tissue from cadavers) for gum grafting procedures.  It has been a while but I think the company I ordered it from was Biohorizons.  They also sell dental implants.  Also try Nobel Biocare.  I am just starting to talk to surgeons about bilat. mast. when I finish up chemo @ end of Oct.  I was surprised to to read somewhere about Alloderm too.  I don't know very much about using it in breast reconstrucion, but for dental procedures we would explain to our pateitns that the donor is tested for any diseases or cancers and if they do will not be used.  The cells are disrupted so there is no DNA present if that makes sense and no chance for disease transmission.  The tissue is then put through a freeze drying and washing process.  Had very good results and no tissue rejection.   Hope this helps.  Your surgeon should be able to give you the phamplet explaining all of this.  We got them from company and also each tissue has an ID# and should be attatched to each patient's record if there ever is a problem.  Thanks, Teresa 

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  • bmwol
    bmwol Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2008

    I had the Alloderm 5 weeks ago and I read up on it before agreeing to its usage.  It seems pretty safe to me and I read that it helps to defray scar tissue from developing and capsular contracture.  You can google up alloderm and read anything you want.  I would google aloderm breast reconstruction so you dont' get confused with dental implants.

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  • Tanzie
    Tanzie Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2008

    I too had alloderm 4 weeks ago today.  So far, I've had no problems with it at all.  I'm also pleased to say that my 'booblets' already have a nice crease edge and shape thanks to the alloderm. :)

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited August 2008

    Had a friend use alloderm (I think another name might be Strattice?) as her PS said it would strengthen her reconstruction. No issues, she researched it and it seemed very safe. Is one of the questions I am going to ask my PS about...

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited September 2008

     I did.  Bilat mastectomies 4/28 - going for exchange surgery 9/19 (YEA!!)
     From all that I read it is safe.  My PS said he uses it for all reconstructions.
    Advantages -   From what I understand, it gives a better "crease" or fold at the bottom of the breast.  Also since a "pocket" that completely incloses the expander then the implant - better control of shape and projection of implant (so implant does not get squished flat over time by the muscle) also keeps implant from moving up or to the side.
    I did not lose any muscle strength or range of motion.  My PS said my body would tell me when I over did it and said no limitations on activities after 3 weeks.   I do not know about rejection rates, etc.  Only issue I had was soreness at the site of where they sewed at the bottom...and due to me trying to sit up  by myself using my upper abdomen muscles....then I got smart and started to roll over on my side before trying to sit up...then just the one side that I pushed myself up to a sitting position hurt for about a week. 

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  • debiker
    debiker Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2008

    i had Alloderm just 9 days ago and I love my results. I had one surgery only for bilat mast and recon with Mentor silicone implants. I went much smaller than my old breasts. I am glad to read "sbmolee" has no loss of muscle strength. I am a triathlete and want to get back to it all PS says it will be no problem. Right now she doesn't even want me to walk.

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  • bermudagem
    bermudagem Member Posts: 337
    edited September 2008

    I had it with my Bi-Mastectomies. I love them. I can not wait to see how they look with the exchange. The AlloDerm has made me look like I have real boobs, And the crease/fold at the bottom of my boobs, is beautiful. Even though I still have my expanders in. I recommend it very highly.

    Shelly

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