Donated Skin

What is Skin Tissue?

Skin covers the entire body, acting as a protective shield against heat, light, injury, and infection. It covers the entire body and is made up of three layers:

• Epidermis: The outermost layer.
• Dermis: The middle layer, which contains collagen and blood vessels.
• Hypodermis: The deepest layer that connects skin to underlying muscles and bones.

These layers protect the body's muscles, bones, ligaments, and internal organs.

How is Donated Skin Used?

Skin grafts, created from skin donated after death, are life-saving tissue transplants often used to treat burn patients. These grafts act as wound coverings, preventing fluid loss and infection. Early application of skin grafts during burn recovery provides several benefits, including:

• Faster recovery
• Reduced risk of complications

In addition to burn treatments, donated skin is used in reconstructive surgeries such as:

• Hernia repair
• Sports medicine procedures
• Breast reconstruction following a mastectomy

Impact of Skin Donation

Donated skin grafts offer critical protection and aid recovery, improving patient outcomes in burn treatments and various surgical procedures.