allograft
Pronunciation: AL-oh-graft
Donor tissue from another individual used in reconstructive surgery, as opposed to the patient's own tissue.
Full Definition
Transplanted tissue obtained from a cadaveric donor for use in orthopedic reconstructive procedures. Allografts are commonly used in ligament reconstruction, bone grafting, and cartilage restoration when autograft tissue is insufficient or unavailable. The tissue undergoes extensive processing and sterilization before implantation. While allografts eliminate donor site morbidity, they carry theoretical risks of disease transmission and may have different healing characteristics compared to autografts.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from autograft in surgical documentation; specify processing method when relevant.
In Context
- "The surgeon chose an allograft for the revision ACL reconstruction to avoid additional donor site trauma." — Operative note
- "Allograft tissue processing includes gamma irradiation and freeze-drying to reduce infection risk." — Technical manual