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and your physician have agreed to use a human allograft – a
bone or tissue transplant – as part of your treatment. Allografts
are among the most common transplants in the medical field today. Over one million tissue transplants are
performed each year.
CTS is providing this information to assist
your doctor in answering the most frequently asked questions about
allografts. If you would like additional information, feel free
to call your local branch or ask your physician.
Why has my doctor recommended using human allograft as part of
my medical treatment?
Allografts can replace or repair damaged or diseased bone and soft
tissues in orthopedic and neurosurgery. It may also stimulate new
bone growth in the affected area, particularly in dental and reconstructive
surgery. Skin grafts may be used for severe burns.
Where does the donated tissue come from?
Allograft tissue comes from people who have chosen to donate their
tissues following their death. The tissue donor may have died
from some type of accident or sudden illness such as a heart
attack or stroke.
How do you screen allograft donors?
Each donor is thoroughly evaluated using medical/social history
questions, medical records, blood tests, culture results, physical
examination and autopsy reports (when performed). This process
is used to ensure the donor is suitable for donation by allowing
us to recognize and exclude potential diseases or medical conditions
that are unacceptable.
How do you test the tissue?
Specific lab tests are performed for Syphilis, Hepatitis B and
C, HIV and other viruses. All of the donor chart information
is evaluated by individuals trained in tissue banking, and CTS ’ Medical Director prior to the processing
of the tissue.
What happens after testing?
Tissue grafts are rinsed and soaked in various solutions to minimize
transmission of bacteria and viruses. Processing and packaging
of the tissue are performed using aseptic technique and occur
in a clean room. As an added margin of safety, CTS utilizes a
patented cleaning procedure during processing called Allowash™,
and a low dose gamma irradiation after final packaging of the
musculoskeletal grafts.
Although the risk of disease transmission cannot be entirely eliminated,
the use of allografts that have undergone rigorous donor screening,
serological testing, and formal processing has significantly reduced
this risk.
What happens to the bone or tissue graft after transplantation?
Once the transplanted bone or soft tissue graft is accepted by
the body, it is slowly converted into new living bone or soft
tissue and incorporated into the body.
Why does my doctor choose Community Tissue Services™ as a source
of human allograft?
Your physician has chosen us because of our extensive donor screening,
procurement and processing standards, as well as our history of
providing quality allograft tissue. All branch locations are accredited
by the American Association of Tissue Banks and ISO 9001-2000 Registered.
© Community Tissue Services™
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