When can skin be donated
Skin can be donated within 6 hours after death.
Who is eligible to donate skin?
Anyone aged 18 and above, regardless of sex or blood group, can donate skin. There is no upper age limit; even individuals over 100 years old can donate.
How long does the skin donation procedure take?
The entire procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Is it necessary to transport the donor to a hospital after death?
No, the Skin Bank team will come to the donor's location, whether it's a home, hospital, or morgue. There's no need to move the donor to a hospital or operating room.
Who performs the skin harvesting procedure?
trained Skin Donation team, consisting of a doctor or technician, two nurses, and an attendant, conducts the procedure.
How is the skin harvested?
A special battery-operated instrument called a dermatome is used to harvest the skin.
Is consent required before the skin harvesting procedure?
Yes, consent from the next of kin and a witness is obtained before starting the procedure. The doctor will explain the entire process beforehand.
From which parts of the body is skin harvested?
Skin is harvested from both legs, thighs, and the back.
Is the entire thickness of the skin harvested?
No, only a very thin layer of skin (0.4 to 0.6 mm thick) is harvested, including the full epidermis and part of the dermis.
What conditions make skin unfit for donation?
Skin from individuals with AIDS, Hepatitis B & C, sexually transmitted diseases, skin cancer, active skin diseases, or septicemia is considered unfit for donation. Blood samples are tested for these conditions at the time of harvesting.
Can individuals with diabetes or hypertension donate skin?
Yes, donors with these conditions can still donate their skin.
How will my donation be used?
After harvesting, the skin is evaluated, processed, and screened at the Skin Bank, then supplied to burn surgeons for transplantation.
How is the skin preserved, and for how long?
The skin is preserved in 85% glycerol solution, stored between 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, and can be preserved for up to 5 years.
Is there a cost associated with the skin donation procedure?
No, there is no cost to the donor's family; selling and buying organs is illegal.
Are any documents required for the skin donation procedure?
Yes, a death certificate and its photocopy must be provided to the Skin Bank team upon their arrival.
Is donor-recipient matching required for skin transplantation?
No, skin can be transplanted without matching blood type, color, or age, as long as all blood tests are negative.
Is it necessary to pledge or register with the Skin Bank to donate skin?
No, it's not compulsory to pledge or register. The Skin Bank will proceed with the donation upon receiving a timely call, even if the donor hasn't registered.
SKIN DONATION Facts
- Skin harvesting is done within 6 hours from the time of death.
- A very thin layer is harvested from both the legs, thighs and the back.
- There is no bleeding or disfigurement to the body.
- No MATCHING required for grafting. The long shelf life of 5 years
- The skin processing charges for cadaveric skin is very low as compared to commercially available synthetic skin substitutes.
Contraindications for SKIN DONATION :
- HIV & Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C.
- STD’S
- Generalized infection & septicemia (Pneumonia, T.B, Etc)
- Any kind of skin infection.
- Malignancy
- Evidence of skin cancer.