FAQs
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Below are some frequently asked questions regarding:
Allograft, autograft and xenograft
What is an allograft?
Tissue surgically transplanted from one person to another is called
allograft. Bone, tendons and cartilage, skin, heart valves and veins are
common types of tissues that are used for transplant to help patients in
many different types of surgeries.
Where do allografts come from?
Similar to organ donation, allograft tissue is recovered surgically after
someone dies. The gift of tissue donation is strictly voluntary and must
be generously given with permission from the donor's family.
What is a xenograft?
Animal-derived tissue (usually bovine or porcine) that is transplanted
to a human recipient.
What is an autograft?
Tissue surgically removed from one area of a person's body, such
as the iliac crest (in the hip), and transplanted in another site on the
same person is called autograft. Using autograft creates two surgery sites
on the body, which may lead to longer healing time and increased chance of
infection.
What are the benefits of using allograft tissue?
Hundreds of thousands of tissue transplants have been performed
and have improved the quality of life for recipients.
Using allograft tissue rather than tissue from your own body eliminates
a second surgical site, allowing you to avoid extra pain and chance of infection
- and possibly preventing a longer hospital stay. Allograft is natural and
biocompatible, allowing your body to remodel it into your own tissue over time. Unlike organ
transplants, it is not necessary to match blood types to receive an allograft.
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Human tissue donation to distribution
What is the process of tissue donation, from recovery to implantation?
Tissues are recovered by a tissue recovery agency in a hospital
or equivalent setting within 24 hours after death. The tissue is then sent
to a tissue processing facility, which performs serological screening and
testing, then cleans and processes the tissue into usable orthopedic implants.
The finished implants are distributed to hospitals for surgeons to use as
a safe, natural solution for patients.
How are the tissues recovered?
Tissue is surgically recovered by staff from a tissue recovery
agency using aseptic technique in a hospital operating room or equivalent
environment, which reduces the chance for bacterial contamination. The donor's
family must give consent for any and all tissue recovered. Recovery is done
respectfully with no cost to the donor's family and in such a way that all
funeral options will still be available.
How are the tissues processed?
Tissues are processed into transplantable allografts in a clean
environment, minimizing the risk of airborne and other contaminants. Tissues
are cleaned, sectioned and formed into precision-shaped implants, demineralized
bone matrix for allograft paste products or conventional allografts. RTI
performs a final sterilization step for musculoskeletal bone and soft tissue
through its patented BioCleanse® Tissue Sterilization Process. A quality
inspection is completed before distribution, and all allografts are serialized
and tracked electronically.
How do I make the decision to use allograft for my surgical procedure?
Always talk to your surgeon about any questions or concerns before
giving your consent to surgery. Knowing the facts about tissue transplantation
is important in making your decision to use this gift of donation.
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Allograft safety and BioCleanse® sterilization
How is donor tissue screened and tested?
Biomedical specialists carefully review each donor's medical and
social history, blood and tissue cultures and serologic testing results.
All potential donors are screened for infections, malignancies, autoimmune
and certain neurologic disorders, drug abuse and any high-risk behavior.
All screening tests must be passed before the tissue is accepted for processing.
For more information on RTI's tissue safety measures, see the Science and Safety section
of this site.
What is the BioCleanse® Tissue Sterilization Process
BioCleanse® is RTI's patented, clinically proven tissue sterilization
process that is validated to eliminate bacteria, fungi, spores and viruses
while maintaining the structural integrity and biomechanical properties of
the tissue.
Learn more about RTI's BioCleanse® process.
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