Established in 1985, LifeLink Tissue Bank is the largest not-for-profit tissue bank in the southeast and one of the largest in the United States. We have placed hundreds of thousands allografts, instilling hope to transplant recipients and their families.
History of Tissue Transplantation
Early 1900s
1900s – Successful transplantation of bone, soft tissue and corneas began.
1949 – The establishment of the U.S. Navy Tissue Bank gave the nation its first bone and tissue processing and storage facility.
Mid-Century
1970s -The rapid development of transplant medicine, combined with factors including general population growth and expansion of the elderly population, caused an increased demand for donated tissues and organs.
1986 – There were more than 300 bone banks in operation.
Late 90s, Early 2000s
1993 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated regulation of all U.S. Tissue Banks.
1997-2005 – Additional regulations were announced including the required registration with the FDA of all tissue banking establishments and tissue donor suitability criteria. The FDA enforced the comprehensive Good Tissue Practices. This regulation, which binds all agencies that recover, process, store, label, package, distribute, screen or test human tissue, resulted in greater safety assurances industry wide.
Today
It is estimated that over one million allograft tissue transplants are performed annually.
Allografts are utilized in almost all surgical disciplines including:
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Gynecology
- Cardiac surgery
- Burn care and many others
Over time, physicians have realized the benefits of using allograft tissues over the alternatives such as autografts and synthetics.