Tissue Transplantation and Medical Indications
Tissue donation includes bone, tendons, cartilage, connective tissue, skin, corneas, sclera, heart for valves, and vessels. These grafts are used for a variety of surgical applications. A tissue transplant in hospitals, day surgery centers, and dental offices occurs nearly everyday. Yet, these surgeries often are not adequately appreciated as life changing, life enhancing and in the case of skin for burn patients even life saving events which are donor dependent. The following table illustrates some of the multiple clinical applications of allograft tissue.
SURGICAL SPECIALTY
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INDICATIONS
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TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
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TRANSPLANTABLE TISSUES
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BENEFITS TO RECIPIENTS
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OCULAR
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Ophthalmology
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Keratpathy
Keratoconus
Dystropathy
Corneal scars and ulcers
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Replace diseased or damaged cornea
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Cornea
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Prevents blindness
Restores vision
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Glaucoma
Trauma
Congenital deformities
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Sclera patch graft
Repair eyelid
Reinforce wall of eye
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Sclera
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Preserves structure
Repairs defects
Aid in intraocular, pressure stabilization
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Lidtonis
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Eye lid repair
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Fascia
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Improves lid function & appearance
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MUSCULOSKELETAL – BONE AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE
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Orthopaedics
Podiatry
Dentistry
Plastic Surgery
Oral-Maxillofacial
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Tumors
Trauma
Congenital Deformities
Degenerative Diseases
Fractures
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Reconstruction and repair
Hip revision
Spinal fusion
Jaw & facial defect surgery
Dental surgery
Bone replacement
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Long Bones
Iliac Crest
Acetabulum
Rib
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Prevents amputation
Accelerates and promotes healing
Restores mobility
Reduces pain and possibility of nerve damage
Restores normal appearance
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Congenital Deformities
Traumatic injury
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Tendon replacement and/or repair
Use as rotator cuff
Reconstruction in traumatic
Facial injuries/deformity
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Patellar Tendon
Achilles Tendon
Cartilage
Fascia Lata
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Restores mobility
Restores independence in activities of daily living
Restores normal appearance
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SKIN
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General Surgery
Trauma
Burn Surgery
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Burns
Soft tissue wounds
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Skin grafts on severe burn injuries
Grafts for slow or non-healing wounds
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Skin
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Promotes healing
Protects underlying tissues
Prevents loss of bodily fluids
Provides protection barrier against infection
Relieves pain
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VASCULAR
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Thorasic & Vascular
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Valvular Disease
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Aortic and pulmonary valve replacement
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Heart Valves
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Reduces long-term anticoagulant therapy
Allows children to grow into graft (almost no second surgery)
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Bypass Surgery
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CABG
Below the knee vascularization
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Saphenous Veins
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Restores cardiac function
Prevents amputation
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NEUROSURGERY
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Neurosurgery
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Trauma
Neurology Hemorrhage
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Neurosurgery
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Pericardium
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Protective covering
Structural preservation
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UROLOGY
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Urology
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Bladder Repair
& Suspension
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Bladder pro lapse
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Fascia
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Improved function & pain reduction
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