1. What is BellaDerm?
BellaDerm is a unique acellular matrix, derived from donated human allograft skin. It is available for use by plastic surgeons for certain procedures, such as facial and body contouring. BellaDerm was developed by MTF, a non-profit organization, which is the largest tissue bank in the US. BellaDerm is the most recent of many innovations that have come from MTF which maximize the gift of tissue donation

2. What are its properties?
BellaDerm is a hydrated dermal tissue graft. It is provided in a sterile package in a wide range of sizes. It has excellent handling characteristics and the added benefit of being provided in ready-to-use form. It does not require any preparation in the surgical suite or refrigeration for onsite storage, resulting in a tissue that is easily accessible and ready for surgeon selection at all times.

3. How is BellaDerm used?
BellaDerm is used by plastic surgeons to provide supplemental support in areas of weakness. It is used by plastic surgeons to address naturally occurring defects which may be found in areas such as the breast, lips, and face.

4. What are the advantages of Belladerm over other products?
Surgeons who use Belladerm report they are pleased with the tissue’s flexibility, which allows them to shape it to individual patients needs. They also like that it is provided ready-to-use and does not require refrigeration, simplifying storage. According to the surgeons, their patients are pleased with the use of a natural biomaterial like BellaDerm, as opposed to a synthetic material or something that comes from an animal.

5. Are there any other human tissue products available for these procedures?
To our knowledge, BellaDerm is the first human dermal tissue graft offered specifically for these types of procedures. Plastic surgeons typically rely on other materials, some of them from animals, like pigs, and some of them synthetic. It is known, however, anecdotally, that some surgeons use similar tissue from deceased donors, processed and provided by other companies, for these procedures. Those other manufacturers do not directly promote their tissues for these applications. MTF takes a different approach. It is very important for the organization to be totally honest and above-board about their grafts, where they come from and how they are used.

6. Where does the skin for BellaDerm come from?
BellaDerm comes from donated human allograft, from living donors. MTF developed a living skin donation program several years ago. This program accepts tissue donation from patients who are having surgery to remove excess skin after massive weight loss. Through a focus on tissue processing methods, MTF was able to take this skin which is otherwise not used and process it into high quality dermal grafts for transplant.

7. Do the donors know how the skin they donate is being used?
Yes, we only use living skin donors for BellaDerm. We obtain specific consent from these donors related to use for these types of plastic surgery procedures. These donors have undergone plastic surgery themselves and the vast majority are happy to help those who are also going through elective surgery.

8. How do I know that the donated skin is disease-free?
MTF has extremely strict criteria for accepting any tissue donations. In fact, because of these criteria, more deceased donors are deferred than accepted by MTF as tissue donors. MTF uses the same strict criteria for accepting tissue from living donors as it does from deceased donors. All potential donors provide a medical and social history which is reviewed by a medical director. The patient’s blood is tested for infectious disease by an outside laboratory using the most precise test methods available. No skin is distributed until it is deemed appropriate for transplant and release by MTF’s medical director. MTF has provided over three and a half million allografts over the past 20 years and has an unrivaled safety record

9. How is donated skin processed?
After approval by the MTF medical director, the skin is evaluated for quality and quantity. The top layer of skin (epidermis) is removed along with all fat and cells. This process allows the transplanted skin to be accepted, rather than rejected, by the patient’s body. In time, the patient’s own cells will grow into the transplant and the graft will be transformed into the patient’s own tissue.

10. What is the feedback from surgeons who have tried BellaDerm?
Many plastic surgeons who are interested in BellaDerm are familiar with MTF and its commitment to safety and high quality tissues. They have used other MTF dermal tissues for years with good clinical outcomes. Now they are able to take advantage of this new offering, which is designed specifically for plastic surgery procedures, and they are pleased with the many benefits it provides in terms of usability, handling and cost. Surgeons have also told us they like the idea that MTF is a not-for-profit organization which is physician-directed.

11. How do patients react to receiving an implant from a living donor?
Patients like the idea that living donors have designated tissue for this purpose. They are also attracted to the concept of “like to like,” that is, using human tissue for another human’s benefit.

12. Why did MTF decide to develop BellaDerm?
A few years ago, MTF started a living skin donation program. There were many patients who wanted to donate their skin following surgery to remove excess skin after massive weight loss. At the same time there were requests from plastic surgeons for dermal tissue that could be used as an implant for plastic, facial, and body contouring surgical procedures. Through a focus on tissue processing methods, MTF was able to take this unneeded tissue and process it into high quality dermal grafts for transplant, meeting the needs of both patients and surgeons.

13. Does the tissue donation community support MTF’s use of donated skin in this way?
Yes. Professionals in the organ and tissue donation field are focused on honoring the gift of donation and improving people’s lives. They recognize that by making use of the skin from living donors who give direct consent for its use in facial and body contouring procedures, opportunities are opened up for a whole new group of patients and surgeons. Plus, since there is a limited quantity of skin from deceased donors, the use of living donors provides more opportunities to care for patients.

Media contact:
Cindy Gordon, cgordon@issuesllc.com
Insight Communication, 609-252-1300

BellaDerm information:
belladerm@mtf.org

MTF general information:
information@mtf.org
1-800-433-6576