Skin grafts now thing of the past

CHILDREN suffering from burn injuries will now be able to be treated with a new C02 fractional laser instead of requiring a skin graft.

Three of the Townsville Hospital’s paediatric surgeons have completed training using the equipment and will begin using it in operating theatres this month.

Director of paediatric surgery Dr Dan Carroll said the technology would sig- nificantly increase the recovery period for about 100 patients every year.

“In the past we’d need to go in and remove these contractions, straighten the limb or affected area and then perform a skin graft,” he said.

“This piece of equipment uses a laser to break the collagen in the scar making it softer and more elastic so that we will achieve the same result without the need for a skin graft.

“The new equipment allows us to work with the scar to improve outcomes rather than resorting to surgery.”

Townsville Hospital Foundation general manager Judy Higgins- Olsen said the equipment was an early gift for young patients.

The Townsville Hospital Foundation successfully applied for $ 35,000 through Glencore’s community investment program with the remaining $ 35,000 funded by the Townsville Hospital.