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had skin collected, despite this being a contraindication and transplanted in HUEC. This elevated domestic demand
to skin donation. The tissue was subsequently discarded. prevented us from sending skin to other regions of the
country, highlighting a great need for donations and an
As reported by other skin banks, the HUEC skin bank
distributed most of its collected tissue to burn victims, improved collection process.
corresponding to 25 of the 30 recipients and 86% of The albeit limited but successful local experience in
transplants performed. This statistic is readily explained allograft application for other indications beyond burn
by the skin bank’s location within a referral center for the care highlights the importance of sharing the potential
treatment of burn patients. Another explanation for these benefits of allograft availability and use in other medical
numbers is the relative decreased awareness by other areas.
medicals specialists whose patients could benefit from the A single skin tissue donor can benefit several patients,
use of skin allografts (e.g. vascular ulcers).
this should motivate an increase in the profile of skin
Comparing the Brazilian epidemiology of burn patients, donation within the public organ and tissue donation
this study found that 80% of recipients experienced campaigns. Both an increased awareness of the importance
exclusively third‑degree burn injuries. A different result of donation and the possibility to save several lives, as well
was obtained by Montes et al. who found that 88.4% as reducing misconceptions of body disfigurement due to
[13]
of burn patients had only second‑degree injuries. This skin donation, should be considered.
difference is likely secondary to HUEC’s treatment of burn
victims with deep and large burns. In a literature review Financial support and sponsorship
[14]
of burn victims in Brazil, de Cruz et al. found that the Nil.
average burnt body surface area was 14.6%. This study Conflicts of interest
demonstrated a higher average of burnt surface area per There are no conflicts of interest.
recipient (38.84%), perhaps because the use of allograft
skin was prioritized for critically ill patients with less REFERENCES
possibility for autografting.

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Rev Bras Promoção Saúde 2007;20:86‑91.
patient; these were higher numbers as compared to the 2. Crisóstomo MR, Serra MC, Gomes DR. Epidemiology of burns. In: Maciel E,
bank of Porto Alegre which sent 35,415 cm² of skin to be Serra MC, editors. Treaty Burns. Rio de Janeiro: Atheneu; 2004. p. 31‑5.
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[12]
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result is proportional to that of the Porto Alegre skin seropositivity for cytomegalovirus in skin graft donors at the skin bank
bank. Noting that the skin from a single donor benefitted of the university of the São Paulo Medical School. J Bras Transplantes
[8]
2007;10:717‑9.
up to 5 patients, with an average of 2.36 recipients per 7. Schiozer W. Skin banking in Brazil. Rev Bras Queimaduras 2012;11:53‑5.
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It was observed that the number of retrievals made and 2013;28:6.
the skin area collected by our service was compatible with 9. Lindford AJ, Frey I, Vuola J, Koljonen V. Evolving practice of the Helsinki skin
that seen at other national and international databases, bank. Int Wound J 2010;7:277‑81.
which are in some cases restricted or difficult to access. 10. Health Information Notebooks, 2010. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde;
2010. Available from: http://www.tabnet.datasus.gov.br/tabdata/cadernos/
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high disposal rates at our center demonstrate that there 11. System of Mortality Information, 2012. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2012.
Available from: http://www.tabnet.datasus.gov.br/cgi/tabcgi.exe?sim/cnv/
is room for improvement in our collection and processing obt10pr.def. [Last accessed on 2015 Jan 07].
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contaminated tissues, exposure to antibiotics, and better the santa casa of porto alegre hospital complex skin bank, years 2008‑2010.
use of the antimicrobial properties of glycerol are being Rev Bras Cir Plást 2010;25:93.
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aspects of burned patients hospitalized in a teaching hospital. Rev Esc Enferm USP
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The HUEC skin bank provided skin primarily for victims of who suffered burns in Brazil: literature review. Rev Bras Queimaduras
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