New 'skin' for Sasol victims
2004-09-09 11:06
Johannesburg - A new, very expensive treatment for burn wounds is being used to ease the pain and speed up the healing process of victims of the Sasol gas explosion.
Transcyte is an artificially grown second "skin" that is used as a temporary skin replacement to heal burn wounds quicker and with less pain, said Debbie , marketing manager of Smith & Nephew's, the medical company that manufactures Transcyte.
Woodman said the foreskin of circumcised baby boys was used to "grow" the skin with cell-division technology.
Woodman said the cells of babies were ideal because chances were slim that burn victims' bodies would reject this skin.
While the bottom layer of Transcyte consists of real human tissue, the top layer is synthetic to protect the wound. This synthetic layer is "bio-degradable" and can "breathe" like a human skin, Woodman explained.
Transcyte, which has been available since 1997, is manufactured in "sheets" of 15cm x 19cm. One sheet costs about R8 500 and is imported from America.
The sheet is placed on the burn wound, with the bottom layer clinging to the wound. In the case of second-degree burns, where the skin can heal by itself, the synthetic layer lifts as the skin layer integrates with the victim's skin and the wound heals.
Woodman said about 68 sheets have already been used on two of the victims of the Sasol explosion.
Gert van der Sandt, 35, and Johan Schreiager, 44, were both treated with Transcyte. Although the treatment worked well, Van der Sandt died because of problems with blood circulation and blood pressure.
Schreiager was treated with about 30 sheets. Woodburn said his treatment has been successful thus far.
Ben Otto, hospital spokesperson, said the other victims were receiving normal burn wound treatment since their condition and wounds were not ideal for the use of Transcyte.
Woodman stressed that the product could be used only in certain cases. It is mainly used for second-degree burns and is not suitable where there is any form of infection.
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