In a first, Mumbai gets 12,500-sq cm skin donations in a single day

Last week for the first time the city received around 12500 sq cm of skin in a single day The skin was harvested from five people who died including one braindead individual The National Burns Centrersquos NBC previous record was of harvesting skin from four dead individuals within 24 hoursSkin from around 150 donors needs to be harvested monthly to meet the demand of harvested skin to treat burn victims At the moment we are getting only 2030 donations monthlyrdquo said Dr Sunil Keswani medical director NBC AiroliDr Sunil Keswani medical director NBC AirolildquoOn Sunday our team at the RCBN skin bank at NBC serviced five calls in 24 hours and harvested 12500 sq cm of skin Four calls were serviced at the residences of individuals in Dombivli Dahisar Mulund and Nala Sopara and one call was regarding a braindead patient at Nanavati Max Hospital as part of their organ retrieval programmerdquo he saidldquoOur last all time high was attending four calls in a single day but on January 28 we received five calls The four individuals died of cardiac arrest We are indebted to the deceasedrsquos next of kin who decided to donate the skin of their loved one Spreading awareness about skin donation along with organ donation is the need of the hour These can give a new lease of life to manyrdquo said Dr KeswaniThe skin bank at the National Burns Centre AiroliDonations in recent yearsAs per NBC data in 2021 160 donations were received from which 207156 sq cm skin was procured and around 15538 sq cm skin benefitted 91 patients 60 from NBC and 31 from other hospitals In 2022 the number of donations was 176 through which 25785 sq cm skin was procured and 252406 sq cm skin was used for 165 patients 111 from NBC and 54 from other hospitals However 2023 saw the lowest donations at 86 of which 121639 sq cm skin was procured and 121320 sq cm was used for 87 patients 57 from NBC and 39 from other hospitalsldquoUsually patients with severe burn injuries need skin grafting At NBC patients with around 60 per cent burns have recovered with the help of skin grafting The chances of survival with more than 70 per cent burns are poorrdquo Dr Keswani saidHarvested skin being measuredldquoWe need skin from at least two donors to save one burn patient Usually we harvest only very thin layers of skin which consists of the epidermis and part of the dermis 04 to 06mm thickness from both legs thighs and the back After the procedure the portion from where the skin is harvested is bandaged On an average from a single donor of moderate build we manage to harvest 2500 to 3000 sq cm From those with a heavier build we get around 5000 sq cmrdquo Dr Keswani saidldquoWe must inspire the newly commissioned skin banks to give thrust to skin donations by roping in NGOs and social groupsrdquo Dr Keswani saidA technician examines harvested skinSetting up skin banksIf everything goes well the civicrun HBT Medical College and Dr RN Cooper hospital will have its own skin bank The LTMG Sion hospital and Masina hospital are two centres among the 26 skin banks across the country More than 14 centres were set up by Dr Keswani and his teamOn an average setting up one skin bank costs around R60 lakh Dr Keswani said that many NGOs and rotary clubs are keen to support the cause150Monthly donors needed to meet the existing demand160Donations in 2021176Donations in 2022lsquoCooper hospital to get skin bank soonrsquoDr Shailesh Mohite dean of HBT Medical College and Dr RN Cooper hospital told midday that the hospital is in talks with the National Burns Centre NBC Airoli to set up its very own skin bank ldquoLast year Cooper hospital was allotted the status of NonTransplant Organ Retrieval Centre NTORC by ZTCC Moreover the entire western suburbs do not have a skin bank We are keen to start one If everything goes well we will have a skin bank set up soonrdquo In an interview with midday Dr Keswani provided further information about skin donationIs there a donorrecipient match required for skin transplantNo anyonersquos skin can be transplanted on anyone There is no blood matching no colour matching no age matching required Once all blood reports are negative the donor skin can be transplanted freelyIs it compulsory to pledge or register oneself with a skin bank to donate skinNo itrsquos not compulsory to pledge or register with a skin bank Even if an individual is not registered skin donation will be carried out Those who wish to donate skin may call on the 24x7 helpline 022 27793333 Those who register themselves in advance get a Skin Donor ID card Skin Donation magnetic sticker and a lsquoI am a skin donorrsquo pocket cardHow is skin harvestedA special batteryoperated instrument called lsquodermatomersquo is used to harvest skinIs consent for skin donation taken before a harvesting procedureYes our doctor will take consent from the next of kin of the donor A witness should sign the consent form before we start the procedure Our doctors will explain the whole procedure before they beginIs there any bleeding or disfigurement to the bodyThere is neither bleeding nor disfigurement from the site skin is harvested from The site is properly bandaged after the procedureWhat conditions render skin unfit for donationSkin of individuals suffering from AIDS Hepatitis B amp C Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs skin cancer active skin disease and septicemia is considered unfit for donation At the time of skin harvesting blood samples from the body are taken and tests for HIV viral markers and Hepatitis are carried out at the skin bankWhat about diabetes and hypertensionDonors with these conditions can donate their skinHow is donated skin usedAfter its harvest donated skin is evaluated processed screened at the skin bank and supplied to burns surgeons for transplanting on burn patientsHow is skin preserved and for how longSkin is preserved in 85 per cent glycerol solution at a temperature between 4degC to 8degC It can be stored for five years