What is skin grafting?

It is a surgical procedure that involves removing skin from one area of the body and moving it, or transplanting it, to a different area. This surgery is done when skin is destroyed due to burns, injury, or illness.

DID YOU KNOW?

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It can be cryopreserved at temperatures as low as -196C for up to two years. Donor skin grafts reduce healing time, protect internal organs especially in cases of extensive burns and types of cancer where organs, including the skin, have to be excised. Plastic surgeons and maxilla facial surgeons also use donor skin to reconstruct cancer-damaged areas.

ABOUT DUBAI’S SKIN BANK

It will be operational at Rashid Hospital from mid-2019. It will specialise in storing dermal grafts from donors. Transplant of skin has received Sharia clearance. Skin cut away from patients of bariatric surgery will be stored in incubators and used as grafts.