Skin donations boost burn survival at Madurai GRH

Madurai: Madurai Govt Rajaji Hospital (GRH), a major referral centre in southern Tamil Nadu, continues to play a crucial role in treating burn victims, with its exclusive burns ward handling more than 50 cracker-blast injuries from nearby districts such as Sivakasi and hundreds of burn cases every year. Dean Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar said the GRH skin bank is among the top-performing facilities in the state and serves as a lifeline for critically injured patients across the region.Dr K Raja, associate professor and plastic surgeon, said awareness about skin donation and its life-saving role remains limited. "Skin, the largest organ of the body, is stretchable, and a single donor can provide life support to at least three to four patients," he said. Skin harvested from deceased donors within five to six hours is preserved and used primarily for patients with 40% to 60% burns. "Donor skin protects the body from life-threatening infections and fluid loss in severe burn cases," he explained.
He clarified that donated skin is not a permanent replacement. "It acts as a temporary protective layer until the patient's body regenerates its own skin, which usually takes about 15 days," he said. Hospital data showed that in 2025 alone, 81 men and seven women were treated at GRH for cracker-burst injuries. While many required major surgeries, others underwent minor procedures. "In such cases, donor skin significantly improves treatment outcomes," Raja added. Although Sivakasi has its own burn-care facilities, patients with more severe injuries — often with 30% to 60% burns — are referred to GRH for advanced care. The hospital's burns ward has 12 ICU beds, 20 regular beds, an exclusive burns theatre, and outpatient services, making it a key centre for burn management in southern Tamil Nadu. Since October, GRH has received skin donations from nine donors, benefitting 32 patients so far, with the potential to help nearly ten more. "Earlier, cases with 30% burns were extremely difficult to save. With skin donations, survival rates and recovery outcomes have improved," Raja said, while stressing the urgent need for more donors. Dr S Aram, head of the department of plastic surgery, said skin donation is a simple process similar to cornea donation and does not require a live donor. "Anyone willing can donate skin after death. It is the best way to buy time for patients with burns. Though alternatives like collagen exist, they are inferior to human skin," he said. Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar added that GRH, along with Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai, is among the few centres in the state providing advanced burn care through well-equipped facilities and dedicated skin banks. Case count Burn injuries 2023 — Surgeries: 222 | Deaths: 137 2024 — Surgeries: 805 | Deaths: 90 2025 — Surgeries: 1,401 | Deaths: 104 Skin bank beneficiaries 58+ Patients Cracker blast injuries 2023 — Admissions: 67 | Major Surgeries: 60 | Minor Surgeries: 7 2024 — Admissions: 76 | Major Surgeries: 68 | Minor Surgeries: 8 2025 — Admissions: 88 | Major Surgeries: 75 | Minor Surgeries: 13 GRH burns ward facilities • 12 ICU Beds • 20 Regular Beds • Exclusive Burns Theatre • Outpatient Services MSID:: 128116092 413 |