Stanley government hospital, first in state to get skin bank

Chennai

The skin bank is estimated to benefit a number of poor  people as the state has a robust mechanism in place for organ donation. The new skin bank is expected to give a much needed push to the whole process. 

Talking to DTNext, Dr S Ponnambalam Namasivayam, Dean-In-Charge, Stanley Medical College and hospital, said that the facility will benefit those with a number of skin ailments. 

“The skin will help to serve as a cover during the recovery. Apart from people who have suffered burns, it will also benefit those with acute skin failure due to allergies, de-gloving injuries, stasis ulcers and chronic ulcers to name a few,” he said. 

Skin harvest 

Skin can be harvested from a deceased person and preserved at the skin bank at 4 degree celsius, for over five years, according to the doctors at the centre. 

“It can be harvested from the deceased who are above 18 years of age. The person has to be free of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and cancer. The procedure takes about 45 minutes,” the Dean-In-Charge said. He further added that for skin donation, the relatives of the deceased should contact the bank within six hours of death. Skin of brain dead patients can also be harvested. 

He clarified that “The donor area will be covered with dressing and the procedure does not disfigure the body.”

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