BACKGROUND:We analyzed tissue incorporation, immune response, and neovascularization of AlloDerm and DermaMatrix in a rat model of postparotidectomy reconstruction. METHODS:In 8 male Sprague-Dawley rats, 3-dimensionally folded AlloDerm implants were placed in the left postparotidectomy bed and 3 in the anterior dorsum as controls. The same was done for DermaMatrix on the right side and posterior dorsum. Two animals were euthanized at 4, 8, and 12 days. A blinded pathologist assessed the degree of fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, and inflammation. RESULTS:When compared with the dorsum, DermaMatrix implants in the parotid bed had significantly higher numbers of inflammatory cells at 8 and 12 days (p = .049 and .0046). AlloDerm acted more consistently between the postparotidectomy bed and dorsum. CONCLUSIONS:AlloDerm reacts similarly when comparing the postparotidectomy bed to the dorsum. DermaMatrix induces a more marked inflammatory reaction in the postparotidectomy bed when compared with the dorsum.