Bengaluru: Besides organs like lungs, kidneys and heart, the city will soon be on its way to becoming a hub for skin donations. The government-run Victoria hospital, which gets around 200 burn victims on an average every month, is setting up a 'Skin Bank' to reduce mortality in burn cases. "Skin transplants have long been of interest to plastic surgeons for the treatment of burns and other wounds.
Skin transplants provide a better micro-environment for wound healing. In cases of up to 40% burns, the patient can be saved if we can cover the burns and injuries on time with skin in the form of a temporary dressing," informs Dr Ramesha K T, Professor and HOD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Burns, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute(BMCRI). He is very excited about the skin bank, which is said to be the first in the State.
"In burn cases, the mortality rate is very high. In a month we witness somewhere from 180-220 cases. Among these cases the mortality rate is 50%. Hence with cadaveric donations (meaning donations of those who are brain-dead or heart- dead) in skin we can reduce the mortality rate," informs Dr Ramesha.
He says that awareness is the key to step up skin donations. "People are not aware about skin donations and how many lives can be saved if skin is donated. Even though the donated skin cannot replace original skin and is used as a temporary dressing until the burns are healed and new skin is formed, it can save many lives," says Dr Ramesha. He adds, "Till now no skin donation has taken place, unlike in Delhi and Mumbai where skin donations take place just like organ donations."
Speaking about the procedure and protocol which needs to be followed, Dr Ramesha explains, "We can take the skin from a cadaver donor for up to six hours. That skin can be preserved in a skin bank and stored for somewhere between two years to five years. The protocol that needs to be followed is similar to any other organ donation."
The doctors have already started receiving training from the National Burns Centre in Mumbai. "The training of doctors and technicians have begun and funds have been mobilized through the Rotary club. Machines will be installed in a month's time. The skin bank would basically cater to any skin need in the hospitals or private hospitals and all across the State," sums up Dr Ramesha.
How is skin preserved?
A dermatome is a surgical instrument used to produce thin slices of skin from a donor area, in order to use them for making skin grafts. By using the machine the skin is harvested. It is then preserved in cold storage after cleaning the skin with antibiotics.
