Use of a nonimmunogenic acellular dermal allograft for soft tissue augmentation: A preliminary report

Abstract

A reliable, soft tissue allograft, AlloDerm® is reported in this preliminary study. Processed from allograft skin obtained from tissue banks, it is an acellular dermal graft whose native framework is maintained. This dermal graft has been used in conjunction with ultrathin autografts to treat burns, as well as an oral graft/implant in periodontal and oral surgery. This report describes the use of AlloDerm® dermal grafts for soft tissue defects and augmentation. It was inserted through dissected subdermal tunnels or applied on an iatrogenic wound bed before closure. Four commonly performed plastic surgery applications are reported: revision rhinoplasty, scar revision, glabellar contouring, and lip augmentation. The only complication encountered was infection, which resolved with antibiotic therapy without graft extrusion. In this study, the implantation of an acellular dermal graft was performed with minimal postoperative swelling and pain. Also notable was the absence of immunogenicity. This acellular dermal graft appears to represent a significant solution for the correction of soft tissue deficits and soft tissue augmentation.