Dr. Whitehead has used Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®) exclusively in all of his patients for 6 years years
because of his superior results and his belief that the results
are significantly better than that obtainable by fat injection or
autograft dermal fat grafts, autograft dermal grafts, or porcine
dermal matrix graft enhancement techniques.
Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®) have been used extensively for trauma
patients since 1992 and for elective surgery since 1994. No case
of disease transmission has ever been reported.
Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®) are processed from human tissue
recovered exclusively within the United States. The tissue banks
comply with both the United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) regulations and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)
guidelines. These tissue banks rigorously screen all tissue donors,
including their medical and social histories. In addition, blood
samples from each tissue donor are tested and must be negative for
viruses, including HIV (AIDS) hepatitis, and bacteria, including
syphilis, that could be transmitted to the graft recipients. During
the processing of Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®), the cellular components
that would be necessary for viral transmission and survival are
removed. In addition, Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®) are screened
to confirm the absence of bacterial contamination. Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®) also undergo microscopic and other analytical testing
to promote the uniform quality of processing.
When an Allograft Dermal
Matrix Graft (Alloderm ®) is implanted into a patient,
the patient's cells repopulate the graft, blood vessels grow into
the graft, and the graft becomes part of the patients own tissue.
This process generally takes several weeks to several months. An
Allograft Dermal
Matrix Graft (Alloderm ®) implanted below the skin may feel
firm for the first 2-3 months, then it will soften until it can
no longer be felt. This will indicate that the normal healing process
is complete.
The advantages of Allograft Dermal
Matrix Grafts (Alloderm®) over autograft
dermal fat or autograft dermal grafts for penile girth enhancement
are: it eliminates the need for incisions and scars at the donor
sites "because there are none", and resulting pain and possible
infection; and it significantly reduces the length of surgery.