How Tissue is Used
More than 5,000 tissue graft components are distributed each year to help enhance people’s lives. Many are distributed to hospital patients in and around San Antonio. Donated tissue includes heart valves, veins, ligaments, tendons, bone, skin and other soft tissue.
- Bone is used to repair orthopedic damage caused by trauma, infection or degenerative disease.
- Skin gives burn patients a temporary dressing to alleviate pain, control infection and increase mobility.
- Ligaments and tendons may be used to reconstruct a patient’s torn or damaged ligaments.
- Heart valves can replace damaged or defective valves in infants and adults.
- Veins are used in bypass surgery to replace damaged coronary arteries or restore circulation in the eyes.
