ECM biomaterials are used to promote healing in a number of tissues, especially the skin and tendons. Surgimend, a collagen matrix derived from fetal bovine<unk> , can trigger the healing of tendons (which do not heal spontaneously) in the ankle. This intervention can shorten healing time by almost half and allows the patient to return to full activity much sooner. Open wounds, like tendons, do not spontaneously heal and can persist for long stretches of time. When ECM biomaterials are added in multiple layers to the ulcer, the wound begins to close quickly and generates host tissue. Although preliminary studies seem promising, little information is available on the success of and direct comparisons between different ECM biomaterial devices in human trials. Alloderm, an<unk>  derived from the skin of donated cadavers, is used in reconstructive and dental surgeries. In gingival grafts, the<unk>  is an alternative to tissue cut from the palate of the patient's mouth. It has also been used for abdominal hernia repair, and to rebuild resected turbinates in the treatment of empty nose syndrome. Alloderm and other<unk>  dermal matrices are used routinely in implant based breast reconstruction after mastectomy for improved soft tissue coverage and thus decrease the risk of visible rippling, capsular contraction, implant malposition, bottoming out and implant exposure.
Acellular dermis
Granulation tissue
Dermoepidermal junction
Neointima
Granulation
Moist desquamation
Keratin pearl
Stratum corneum