RTI Biologics donates BioSet RT Allograft Paste implants to CURE International

RTI Biologics Inc. (RTI) (Nasdaq:RTIX), a leading provider of orthopedic and other biologic implants, recently donated several BioSet® RT Allograft Paste implants to Lemoyne, Pa.-based CURE International. The paste, a demineralized bone matrix (DBM), was used Sept. 18 during a surgery to remove a large, benign cyst from the pelvic bone of an 11-year-old patient in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.    

According to Ted Beemer, M.D., medical administrator/surgeon for CURE Honduras, the cyst extended from the front of the patient's pelvic bone to her sacroiliac joint and caused extreme pain, presumably due to the weakening bone directly over the hip joint and adjacent to the sacroliliac joint. The patient was confined to walking with crutches for two months leading up to the surgery due to pain and fear of further collapse of the bone around the hip joint. The donated allograft paste was needed because obtaining sufficient autograft — tissue from one's own body — risked weakening the side used for walking during the surgery recovery period.

"The surgery went well, and I fully expect her to make a complete recovery thanks to the substantial allograft donation by RTI," Beemer said. "I am certain that her recovery would have been significantly deterred if we had needed to take that much autologous bone from her other side and/or lower extremities. In fact, she would have been confined to a wheelchair for weeks instead of being able to walk with crutches.

"We are very appreciative to RTI Biologics for its donation. It made a huge difference in this child's treatment and will continue to affect her recuperation."

Since it was established in 2004, CURE Honduras has provided life-changing orthopedic treatment for thousands of children in Honduras. The hospital, which does not turn away anyone under the age of 19, regardless of whether or not they can afford care, serves approximately 4,500 patients each year and performs about 550 operations.

"Our mission at RTI is to improve lives through biologic solutions to achieve life-restoring and life-saving results," said Brian K. Hutchison, president and CEO. "Over the years, we have provided numerous allograft donations such as this, and we will continue to do so. We take great pride in playing a part in helping those in need return to their normal activities."

Allograft is tissue surgically transplanted from one person to another. Most allograft tissue is recovered surgically after someone dies. The donor must have consented to the donation before death or the donor's family must consent after death. Tissue transplantation can have many benefits for recipients, including repairing tissue defects caused by trauma or disease, restoring mobility and regaining independence in daily activities. The selfless gift made by donors and their families saves the quality of life for patients globally.

Allografts are used as an alternative to synthetic and metal implants. However, unlike synthetic or metal implants, allografts are a natural and biocompatible scaffold, allowing the recipient's body to remodel it into his or her own tissue over time. Using allograft tissue rather than an autograft eliminates a second surgical site, allowing the recipient to avoid additional pain, risk and a possibly longer hospital stay. In addition, in some cases, it is not possible to obtain an autograft, so allografts are a natural solution.

RTI uses stringent donor screening, laboratory testing and proprietary, validated sterilization processes to ensure patients' safety. These redundant safeguards provide the highest level of confidence that patients will receive safe, high quality tissue. RTI honors the gift of tissue donation by treating the tissue with respect, by finding new ways to use the tissue to help patients and by helping as many patients as possible from each donation.