Why Choose Biologics

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 an allograft is properly processed, it remodels in a manner similar to autograft. For example, allograft bone provides an osteoconductive scaffold to support new bone growth, similar to autograft bone. However use of allografts eliminates the need for a second surgery site and avoids the additional pain, risk and possible longer hospital stay associated with autograft procedures.

Xenograft

Animal-based tissues have long been used in surgeries such as heart valve replacement. Advances in sterilization methodologies, such as the BioCleanse®, Tutoplast® and Cancelle™ SP 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.

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