Skin and Tissue Bank
Masina Hospital is one of the three skin banks in Mumbai and the only one in South Mumbai. The Skin and Tissue Bank Department at Masina Hospital plays a crucial role in the procurement, processing, and distribution of human tissues for transplantation and medical research. We are committed to ensuring the availability of safe and high-quality tissue grafts to meet the needs of patients and medical professionals.
Building #6 Wellness Centre
The significance of skin donation lies in its transformative impact on the lives of burn victims. Donated skin plays a crucial role in treating severe major burns, preventing infections, alleviating pain, offering mechanical protection, and expediting the healing and recovery process. At Masina Hospital, the Skin and Tissue Bank embodies compassion, turning the selfless act of skin donation into a lifeline for those in dire need.
Masina Hospital is one of the only three Skin Banks in Mumbai and the sole provider of this critical service in South Mumbai. Our Skin and Tissue Bank Department plays a vital role in the procurement, processing, and distribution of human tissues for transplantation and medical research. We are dedicated to ensuring that safe, high-quality tissue grafts are readily available to meet the needs of both patients and medical professionals.
Why Skin Donation Matters
Every year, over 7 million Indians suffer from burn injuries, with women and children making up a large portion of this number. Severe burns often require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, with many cases resulting in life-threatening complications. Skin donation plays a transformative role in the treatment of these victims by preventing infections, alleviating pain, and offering essential mechanical protection that expedites healing. Without donated skin, many burn victims face significantly lower survival chances.
How the Skin Bank Works
At Masina Hospital, the donated skin undergoes specialized processing and preservation to ensure it remains viable for life-saving procedures. The process involves harvesting skin from the legs, thighs, and lower back without disfiguring the donor’s body. Importantly, there is no need for blood group matching, making the donation process accessible to anyone over the age of 18 without skin infections or diseases.
Commitment to Excellence
At Masina Hospital, we embody compassion and excellence. Our Skin and Tissue Bank is a symbol of hope, turning the selfless act of skin donation into a lifeline for those in need. With one of the few Skin Banks in the region, we ensure the highest standards of care in processing and providing skin grafts that help burn victims heal faster, reduce pain, and avoid multiple surgeries.
Masina Hospital’s Skin and Tissue Bank stands as a beacon of medical advancement, committed to supporting patients on their journey to recovery and helping those most vulnerable.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who can donate skin after death?
A: There are no specific requirements in terms of sex, age, or blood group. However, the donor should not suffer from any STDs, HIV, hepatitis B, septicemia, skin cancer, or any other diseases.
Q: When can a person donate his or her skin?
A: Donation should be done within 6 to 8 hours of the donor's death.
Q: Is the next of kin's consent for donor skin donations valid if taken after the donor's death?
A: Yes, the next of kin's consent is valid for skin donation.
Q: Does the body of the deceased donor need to be taken to the hospital for the skin donation?
A: A team of eligible and trained personnel from the skin bank will be sent to the donor's house.
Q: From which part of the body is skin harvested?
A: Skin is harvested from both legs, both thighs, and the back.
Q: Is the entire thickness of the skin harvested?
A: No, only 1/8 portion of the skin is harvested, that is partial thickness.
Q: Is there any bleeding or disfigurement to the body?
A: There will be no bleeding as such, however, there can be a little secretion of body fluids which will be handled and bagged, and the area will be neatly bandaged.
Q: How long does it take for the skin donation procedure to be carried out completely?
A: Just the harvesting of the skin will take only 30-45 minutes. The whole procedure, including harvesting, bandaging, and cleaning up, might take one to two hours.
Q: Who performs the skin harvesting procedure?
A: The skin harvesting is carried out by the collection team consisting of one doctor, one nurse, and one attendant.
Q: Do we need to provide any documents to the skin bank team when they arrive?
A: Yes, consent form, death certificate, and medical records (if any) of the donor.
Q: How is the skin harvested?
A: The skin is harvested by using a special instrument called a dermatome. Our team is trained to use it.
Q: What happens to the donated skin?
A: The donated skin is used for the treatment of patients with severe major burns. It helps in preventing infection, reducing pain, providing mechanical protection, and accelerating the process of healing, recovery, and saving a life.
Masina Specialists
1.Dr. Gaurav Kadakia
2.Dr. Vispi Driver