not a dog question - Page 1

Are  any  of  you  familiar  with skin graphs  and how  they work ?   Do you know if you can donate skin to someone ??  thanks

I have never heard of that being done.However, the skin is the largest organ of the human body.Transplants are done with numerous organs and parts now.The biggest thing is matching up the tissues.It's not as simple as hey I want to help.I to wish it was that easy.My mother is a heart transplant recipient and it has been a true miracle for our family.Unfortuanely with the medicines given to keep rejection of the heart from happening comes stress with other major organs in the body.Kidney failure could be what takes her first. But I am sure if you do some investigating you could find out quickly if it can be done.

Venzosmon, I am sorry for whatever troubles brings your question to the board.

Some organ banks also maintain tissue including skin. Also I believe there is an artificial skin that can be used in burn cases = not sure if it's just a temporaty solution or not.  If donor and donee are compatible I can see no reason why you could not donate skin. Most likely would be taken off your belly, back or thighs since those are the most used areas when surgeons are harvesting the patient's own skin (obviously larger surface areas)

Finally depending on what it is for there is a product called Osmosis produced by Cook Co in Illinois,U.S. . It is the lining of the pig's intestine and has been used with great effect in healing stasis ulcers ( open wound on skin due to fragility of skin and circulation). They are not quite sure of why it works the way it does but what it does is sends a message to the body a. to heal by producing growth hormone and encouraging blood supply to the area and b. somehow tells the skin cells to line up in the right order. Frequently in a skin injury in a compromised patient if you can get the skin to heal at all it heals cattywompas meaning the cells are out of line and that area is forever more fragile. So the fact that Osmosis can get the skin to heal "right" is huge.  A good university based dermatologist should know about it if your local docs don't.

Now that is interesting. I think I remember some clinical studies on that but did not know it was being used now. Pretty amazing. Venzo, hopefully for whatever reason you ask these questions that the person in need of skin reparation heals soon.

Stonehaus, Yes, fascinating stuff. Has also been used to help with fallen bladders. They use it to create an interior sling which the body then fills in. I've also talked with my vet about it because I believe they now offer it as part of their veterinary line as well. We thought it would be great for dogs that get "de-gloved".

I've seen it work and it is truly miraculous stuff.

There have been two successful partial and full face transplants over seas.  I think one in France.  The technology is new but seems to be having some success.  Good luck and prayers to whoever is dealing with this.