title: Do Processing Methods Make a Difference in Acellular Dermal Matrix Properties?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) has become the standard of practice in many reconstructive and aesthetic surgical applications. Different methods used to prepare the allograft tissue for surgical use can alter the ADMs natural properties. Aseptic processing has been shown to retain the natural properties of ADMs more favorably than terminally sterilized ADMs. Terminal sterilization has been historically linked to alteration of biological materials. In vitro work was conducted to compare ADM processing methods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Characterize aseptically processed ADMs and compare cell-matrix interaction characteristics to terminally sterilized ADMs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two aseptically processed ADMs, FlexHD Pliable and BellaDerm, were characterized via histological evaluation, biomechanical integrity, enzymatic degradation, and in vitro cell studies. FlexHD Pliable was compared to Alloderm Ready-to-Use (RTU).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological evaluation revealed that FlexHD Pliable had a uniform, open structure compared to BellaDerm. Mechanical characterization demonstrated that BellaDerm had higher strength and stiffness compared to FlexHD Pliable, which maintained higher elasticity. Immunohistochemical analysis verified that key matrix proteins remained intact after aseptic processing. Cell studies found that fibroblasts attached more readily, and proliferated faster on FlexHD Pliable compared to BellaDerm. Additionally, fibroblasts infiltrated into FlexHD Pliable from both sides and on the dermal side in BellaDerm and produced an abundance of multi-layered matrix proteins (collagen, fibronectin) when compared to AlloDerm RTU which was sparse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aseptically processed FlexHD Pliable and BellaDerm provide a suitable, biocompatible option for tissue repair and regeneration in aesthetic and reconstructive surgical applications.
authors.affiliation: Mr Nilsen is a Senior Engineer, Dr Dasgupta is a Senior Scientist, and Dr Chnari is an Associate Director, Research and Development, Wound Care, and General and Plastic Surgery; and Dr Huang is a Staff Scientist, Research and Development and Allograft Materials Research, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ. Dr Wilson is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA.
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.affiliation: Mr Nilsen is a Senior Engineer, Dr Dasgupta is a Senior Scientist, and Dr Chnari is an Associate Director, Research and Development, Wound Care, and General and Plastic Surgery; and Dr Huang is a Staff Scientist, Research and Development and Allograft Materials Research, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ. Dr Wilson is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA.
authors.forename: Anouska
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.affiliation: Mr Nilsen is a Senior Engineer, Dr Dasgupta is a Senior Scientist, and Dr Chnari is an Associate Director, Research and Development, Wound Care, and General and Plastic Surgery; and Dr Huang is a Staff Scientist, Research and Development and Allograft Materials Research, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ. Dr Wilson is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA.
authors.forename: Yen-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Mr Nilsen is a Senior Engineer, Dr Dasgupta is a Senior Scientist, and Dr Chnari is an Associate Director, Research and Development, Wound Care, and General and Plastic Surgery; and Dr Huang is a Staff Scientist, Research and Development and Allograft Materials Research, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ. Dr Wilson is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Mr Nilsen is a Senior Engineer, Dr Dasgupta is a Senior Scientist, and Dr Chnari is an Associate Director, Research and Development, Wound Care, and General and Plastic Surgery; and Dr Huang is a Staff Scientist, Research and Development and Allograft Materials Research, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ. Dr Wilson is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chnari
mesh_terms: D062088:Acellular Dermis; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen; D003666:Decontamination; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013242:Sterilization
chemical_list: C582618:FlexHD; D003094:Collagen