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Many burn victims find relief in skin grafting
View(s):Pix and text by Rekha Tharanganee
People with serious skin burns can now have their skin replaced with the skin (tissue) of a deceased or close relative, according to National Hospital Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr. Gayan Ekanayake.
A severe burn is a trauma associated with long-lasting consequences.
Many accidents related to burns are reported to the National Hospital as many women in Sri Lanka tend to self-immolate due to family problems and many also sustain severe burns following gas cylinder explosions.
Skin grafting replaces skin that is lost or damaged and helps reduce the patient’s pain and any complications.
According to Dr. Ekanayake skin graft surgery enables these severe types of burns to heal quickly, with minimal scarring.
If the inner tissue was affected by the burning, a skin transplant is required in order to preserve those tissues.
Even though skin allografting is a new experience for Sri Lankans, many developed countries commonly use it to help those suffering from severe burns.
Currently plastic surgeons are using auto grafts (the patient’s own skin) in cases of burn wounds. In cases of adults with over 40% to 50 % of the total body surface area burned with only few cells left in their thighs, this procedure is not feasible. Skin tissue from a deceased person can be transplanted into a patient with burn injuries, but the problem occurs when the skin tissues are not sufficient for surgery. In such cases the support from a relative is required.
Accordingly, the National Burn Unit in Colombo National Hospital has performed 300 major skin graft surgeries and 50 minor surgeries in the past year.
Skin grafting replaces skin that is lost or damaged and helps reduce the patient’s pain and any complications. It also helps to heal the wounds.
Dr. Gayan Ekanayake
“The mortality rate of a burnt patient is comparatively high because they are more exposed to infections, so transplanting tissues reduces the risk to the patient’s life” Dr. Ekanayake added.
A special team assigned for these types of surgeries at the National Hospital include well-trained surgeons and nurses.
Skin tissue storage facilities are currently also available at Colombo Children’s Hospital and donations of skin tissues can be made.
In order to help the patients by donating a deceased relative’s skin tissue, contact the burn unit of the Colombo National Hospital on 0112691111 within twenty-four hours of the relative’s death.
While many people are aware that various body parts can be donated, many do not know that there is a skin tissue bank in Sri Lanka where skin tissue can be donated, Dr. Ekanayake stated.
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