Skin donation. Dr. Aparna Patil.

 

"Value of life depends on the love given and shared. Recycle youself !!" 

Skin....the largest organ of the human body !

The layers of human skin..

Layers of Skin.

                          (Photo - Google )

In India, around 3 million burns cases are reported  annually _ acid attack , dowry death  being commonest.

In  burns  cases, we see very high mortality. Patients suffering from severe burns, are in deep pain; skin is so badly damaged that it no longer act as a protective covering but leads to infection.  The main purpose is to remove dead tissue from the body at earliest & resurface it with natural membranes to hasten the recovery.

The perfect treatment option is Donor skin dressing ! Someone has correctly said, 

" skin is  the best dressing...!!! "

It plays role in many ways as....

• acts as a temporary , protective dressing.

• promotes healing.

• reduces infection risk.

• gives pain relief.

• prevents leakage of heat & proteins.

• prepares patient for autografting.

The most important fact is..no matching is required for skin donation. (Burns  patient has reduced immunity.)

Let's see some important points...

Who can donate skin?

Anybody above the age of 18 years.

•Living donors...

•Require hospitalization.

•Done under anaesthesia.

•Painful.

•Involves cost.

•Dead donors...

We all must understand the importance of skin donation. Why not to donate skin before cremation or burial?

Prerequisites

1) No skin or generalised infection.

2) No cancer.

3)HIV , HbsAg ,HCV negative.

How it can be donated? What is the procedure?

        •Once a person dies, skin donation is permitted  within 6 hours.

        •Relatives must contact  Burns helpline.

        •Medical team will reach the house of deceased in a specialised  Burns ambulance. 

        •Skin is harvested from thighs & back. Only the superficial layers are  harvested. The areas are covered with bandage, dressing given.

        •There is no disfigurement.

        •No bleeding.

        •Total procedure takes only 45 minutes.

What is skin bank?

They are almost similar to blood banks.

Donors are tested for  any communicable diseases. Skin harvested , is stored in vapour phase of liquid nitrogen at a temperature of - 170 °C & can be preserved for about 3 months.

We all must realize the value of skin donation. In foreign countries, we pay 50,000 ₹ for 10 cm × 10 cm skin tissue. And here, we burn or bury this valuable organ. We must feel ashamed of ourselves.What is the use of skin after death?

Be someone's second chance !

Friends, donate skin...donate organs... because you can !

Important phone numbers...

Burns helpline 

02227793333

02227791010

© Dr. Aparna Viraj Patil

MD (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Organ donation awareness

Mumbai