The family of a brain-dead man who donated his heart and kidneys earlier this week also allowed doctors to remove his skin for future surgical needs, officials at the Tokyo Skin Bank Network said Thursday.
According to an official at the network, the family was informed of the procedure involving skin donation Wednesday, while surgery to remove the man's organs was being performed. Family members then agreed to donating his skin, the official said.
Doctors from Keio University and Kyorin University then performed the two-hour operation after his kidneys were harvested, and removed 50 sheets of skin tissue each about the size of a postcard. The skin will be frozen and used to treat patients with severe burns. Network officials said they would be willing to provide this tissue to medical institutions nationwide, and that about 10 to 15 people could be saved with the man's skin.