Biologics vs. other materials
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Allograft vs. other options:
When surgery is recommended , in most cases there are options for surgical implants. Many times, surgeons must choose between using allograft, autograft or metal/synthetic implants. Patients should discuss their individual treatment options with their physicians.
Autograft
While autograft can be osteoconductive (provides a scaffold for new bone to attach to) and osteoinductive (stimulates growth of new bone), it must be removed from one part of the patient’s body for transplant into another part. In some cases, the patient may not have sufficient quantities of tissue suitable for transplant. The second surgery to remove autograft tissue can mean additional pain, risk and a possible longer hospital stay for the patient.
Metals/synthetics
Metals and synthetics can be tooled for specific applications and are designed for use with instrument sets for faster and more precise surgeries. The patient would not need a second surgery to remove autograft tissue, and the surgeon has a uniform process that can be repeated easily. However, metals and synthetics generally do not promote bone remodeling, and in some cases can actually cause weakening and fragility of surrounding bone. For some types of surgeries, such as replacement of tendons or other soft tissue in sports medicine repair, there are no metal or synthetic options.
Allograft
When the implant is properly processed, the patient’s body remodels with allograft the same way it does with autograft. Allograft is osteoconductive and can even stimulate new bone growth like autograft, but eliminates the need for a second surgery site and avoids additional pain, risk and possible longer hospital stay. Additionally, unlike autograft, which must be shaped in the operating room, allograft can be pre-shaped and precision tooled, combining the ease of use of metal/synthetic implants with the regenerative benefits of biologic implants.
Xenograft
Animal-based tissues have long been used in surgeries such as heart valve replacement. Advances in sterilization methodologies, such as the BioCleanse® and Tutoplast® tissue sterilization processes, have expanded the applications where animal tissues, particularly bovine tissue, can be used. Xenograft can be precision shaped and implanted like an allograft implant. When a xenograft implant is properly processed, studies show that it will remodel into the patient’s body similarly to allograft.
Wherever possible, RTI has advanced beyond the use of aseptic processing, which does not ensure the removal or inactivation of microorganisms inherent to the donor or tissue, to better protect recipients from the risk of donor-to-recipient disease transmission. RTI’s proprietary, validated sterilization processes provide an additional measure of safety to biologic implants.
