Coimbatore: "A tissue donor can help the life of 75 people.Many people do not have awareness on donating the tissue or skin. Spreading awareness about it to the public is the need of hour", said Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon & Aesthetic Surgeon, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore in a programme organised at Sri Krishna Arts and Science College.
Coimbatore: "One tissue donor can restore health and heal the lives of more than 75 people. However, there is not much awareness among the people on tissue and skin donation. Sensitising people on skin donation is the need of the hour", said Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan, Consultant Oncoplastic, Breast & Aesthetic Surgeon, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore at an awareness session held at Sri Krishna Arts and Science College here.
The PG Department of Social Work, Women’s Cell and Health Club of Sri Krishna Arts and Science College (SKASC), Kuniamuthur, Coimbatore organized an awareness programme on 'Skin Donation, Breast Cancer and Reconstruction'.
Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon & Aesthetic Surgeon, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore was the Chief Guest for the awareness session in which students and faculties took part.
The Oncoplastic surgeon noted that awareness on skin donation is progressively increasing now. "Skin donation is like donating any there organ. Any individual who has completed 18 years of age can donate his/her skin, there is no upper age limit. Even a dead person can donate his skin. I such cases, the skin should be donated within six hours of death. Unlike other organ donations, skin can be donated without undergoing any tests. Match between the donor and recipient is not required. There is no bleeding or disfigurement to the body,", explained Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan.
"However, skin or tissue is not taken from the people who affected due to HIV & Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C, STD’S, generalized infection & septicaemia (Pneumonia, T.B, Etc), any kind of skin infection, malignancy", he noted.
He also added that "Skin donation could give lease of life to those suffering from burn injuries or suffered other damages to the skin. About 75 people get a new life from a tissue donor. World statistics says that about 1.75 million tissue transplants happen out of 39,000 donors in each year."
The Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon & Aesthetic Surgeon from Ganga Hospital also threw light on how skin banks function. "The donated skin can be stored at the skin bank in 4-8o Celsius up to 5 years. The stored skin can be used for treating patients suffering from deep burns, chemical burns, electrical burns and radiation burns. Statistics have shown that 80% of the burn victims are women and children", he noted.
He also added that the first phase of the skin donation procedure is harvesting skin, which could be made simple by timely information upon the death of a possible donor to skin helpline. After the consent of the family, the skin retrieval team will harvest the skin from the donor's legs, thighs and back using a special instrument called Dermatome.
" The procedure takes only about 45 minutes. The skin strips will be trimmed properly, measured and thereafter put in labelled sterile vials containing Glycerol and sealed vials are then stored in at 4°C to 8°C up to 5 years at skin banks", the surgeon noted.
Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan, provided facts and insights about breast reconstruction and the possible medical options available for the patient who undergoes mastectomy. "There are few options for breast reconstruction, which one can use. It depends on their age, body type, and treatment plan. They are breast implants in which the breasts are filled with silicone gel and the other one is Skin Grafts and Transplant", the breast reconstruction surgeon said.
He also educated the students on breast cancer and how early diagnosis can cure it. "Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women are prone for getting breast cancer. But the good news is that most women can survive breast cancer, if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram that is the screening test for breast cancer can help to find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. The need for breast reconstruction surgery was into light due the post-surgical trauma of the breast cancer patients, who have less hope in facing the world with the removal of one or both breasts. They find it difficult to get alone with society by avoiding social functions, lack of self-confidence, trying it hard in choosing a better outfit and so on", he said.
Dr.K.Sundararaman, CEO of Sri Krishna Institutions initiated the awareness session. Dr.P. Baby Shakila, Principal of the college welcomed and presided over the programme. Dr.A.Alagarsamy, Head of the department of Social Work coordinated the entire event. Social Work Faculty Dr. Sumitha Shalini proposed a vote of thanks. Professors, Staff and students attended the event.