AlloDerm

AlloDerm is an intact human tissue matrix with the critical biochemical and structural components of the dermal extracellular scaffold that enable it to recellularize and revascularize. Its biologic nature provides AlloDerm with an improved capacity to reintegrate with surrounding tissues and less inclination toward infection, erosion, extrusion, and rejection compared with synthetic tissue replacement materials like kugel mesh.

Skin is obtained from a surgical procedure. Skin grafts are typically recovered from the back, abdomen, and legs and may vary in thickness from .005-inches to .035-inches. The procedure usually takes one to two hours.

AlloDerm is made from donated skin which is prepared for transplantation, thus: The tissue can be prepared by traditional methods of cell preservation which include maintaining cell viability via tissue culture techniques or cryopreservation. Donated skin grafts can be preserved by utilizing advanced technologies to remove the cellular components of the grafts while maintaining the biochemical and structural characteristics. As a result, it is reported that, these donated skin grafts can be transplanted successfully without rejection. This technology greatly expands the clinical applications of donated skin.

AlloDerm is manufactured by a New Jersey pharmaceutical device manufacturer known as LifeCell Corporation and its parent corporation, Kinetic Inc. from Texas. LifeCell and Kinetic develop and market tissue repair products for use in hernia, reconstructive, uro-gynecologic and orthopedic surgical procedures.

At the Potts Firm we are representing drug patients who have sustained injuries from the use of AlloDerm in Abdominal Hernia repair. As someone who has suffered with a hernia and had to resort to surgical repair of that hernia your Doctor may have used AlloDerm. Unfortunately, what sounded like a great alternative to traditional synthetic plastic meshes has turned out to be ineffective to fighting off infection, erosion, rejection and recurrence.  The following is a list of “trigger words” that may lead you to believe your Doctor may have used AlloDerm to repair your hernia.

Has your Hernia occurred as a result of:

• Bariatric surgery
• Gallbladder surgery
• Non healing wound infection
• Recurrent Hernia
• Patch failure
• Body rejected a hernia patch

Have you experienced:

• Multiple debridement surgeries, due to serious infection
• Seeping wounds at the site of a hernia repair
• Open abdominal wounds that lasted 3 or more months
• Surgery to take out a broken or infected mesh from previous hernia surgery
• A bulging at the site of a previously fixed hernia site
• Placement of a “wound vac” to help with draining of an infected seeping abdominal wound

If you or a loved one received Alloderm, contact our firm at 816.931.2230.