About Allografts

What is an Allograft?

Allograft refers to any type of tissue that is implanted from one person to another. Types of allograft include bone, tendon, organs, heart valves or sections of skin. Allografts have been used routinely in medical practice for over 150 years, and in excess of 2.2 million allografts are transplanted globally every year.

Australian Biotechnologies produce allografts from human bone and soft tissue, most commonly for use in orthopaedic, spinal, and oral-maxillofacial surgery. This informative resources contains useful information for patients receiving an allograft transplant.

Where do Allografts come from?

Honouring the gift of donation, Australian Biotechnologies works with a number of Government donation agencies, including NSW Health Organ and Tissue Donation Service, ACT Government | Donate Life, Australian Tissue Donation Network and the Tissue Life Foundation.

Allografts come from voluntarily donated human tissue, either from living donors who have undergone a hip replacement procedure, or from deceased donors who have chosen to give their tissue to help others. Often, just one donor’s gift can provide allograft tissue for many recipients.

The Australian Tissue Donation Network Femoral Head Donation Program, Musculoskeletal Donation Program and Placental Tissue Donation Program allow patients throughout Australia who undergo relevant surgery, the opportunity to donate tissue removed as part of the procedure.

Why is Allograft Needed?

Many surgeons have recognised the value of using allograft tissue rather than autografts (a patient’s own tissue), or synthetic replacements. During the healing process, the body will replace the allograft tissue through the generation of new cells.

How are Allografts used?

Allografts come in a range of different formats and are used routinely in a wide variety of procedures in both adults and children.

Allografts are commonly used in the following surgeries:

• Spinal
• Hip replacement/revision
• Cruciate ligament repair
• Shoulder repair
• Trauma repair

Are Allografts regulated?

Yes. Allograft use is dependent on stringent donor screening procedures and quality control monitoring checks throughout manufacture, packaging and storage. Each potential donor is subject to an extensive and detailed medical review, and test results for every allograft must meet strict quality assurance requirements, in order for the allograft to be deemed suitable for use. Donated tissue is rigorously tested using the most technologically advanced methods, to ensure that the highest level of regulatory standards are met.

Australian Biotechnologies is regulated and licensed by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA, Australian Federal Government) and to date has manufactured over 50,000 allografts to the Australian community.

To become a donor click here

PLEASE NOTE: Australian Biotechnologies strongly recommends that you seek guidance from your healthcare practitioner regarding the use of Allograft in your particular circumstance. To become a donor it is advised that you seek the guidance from one of our Donation Partners on the Donation Page of this website.