Alloderm is processed natural human dermis which is available through approved tissue banks. The Alloderm undergoes a special process to remove the epidermis as well as the cells. The Alloderm is prepared in various size sheets and can be cut to specific patient needs. Through a brief 30 minute procedure, the Alloderm graft can be inserted into areas such as the nasolabial folds, lips, and areas of indentations on the face or nose. Alloderm can also be used to cover abdominal wall defects or in breast reconstruction to cover the implant or tissue expander.

Alloderm is available through LifeCell. It has been safely utilized in over one million implants. An advantage of Alloderm is that a donor site is not required . With fat transfers, a donor site is required to harvest the patient?s own fat.

Dr Mandell-Brown feels that over time, 50 to 100% of the Alloderm may resorb. It may be difficult to predict those patients in which the Alloderm will not survive.