Skin grafting helps expat walk again
dubai — A highly complicated skin grafting procedure from a cadaver was performed by the Rashid Hospital doctors to save the life of a Filipino expat who was left with exposed bones and muscle tissue after being run over by a car.
When 34-year-old Ana Marisa Perez went to walk her dog on a Thursday morning, she would never have imagined that moments later she would be fighting for her life.
“It was May 10. I was crossing the road with my dog, I was hit by a car. I fell but the driver did not notice what happened and continued to run over my body. Another driver saw what was happening and told him to stop or I wouldn’t be here,” said Perez.
Perez was admitted to Rashid Hospital’s emergency with serious injuries, she lost a large area of skin from her groin to her left foot exposing her bones and muscle tissues. She also sustained a pelvic and leg fracture.
After examining the case, Rashid Hospital doctors found that an immediate grafting procedure was necessary to prevent any further complications.
Dr Khalid Al Awadi, head of the hand and microsurgery unit at Rashid Hospital explained that in Perez’s case, using her own skin for grafting was not possible immediately because her bones and muscle tissues were exposed.
Instead, skin from a human corpse also known as cadaveric skin — which is skin removed from deceased person then processed and distributed by skin and tissue banks — was used.
“The procedure was a complete success and she has completely recovered from the grafting surgery,” said Dr Al Awadi.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com