Ordering tissue

Donor skin

The amount of donor skin needed depends on the patient’s height and weight, immunological characteristics, the severity of the wound, and the treatment method used.

The size of the wound and the necessary amount of donor skin will be determined by the treating physician.
The frequency of replacement and the period of use must be determined on a case-by-case basis for each individual patient.

Type of donor skin
Three different types of donor skin can be provided:

  • plain
  • meshed 1:1.5
  • meshed 1:1.3

The thickness of the skin varies from 0.2 to 0.8 mm. The skin pieces are at least 3.5 cm wide and vary in size from 50 cm² to approx. 350 cm².

Ordering donor skin

You can order donor skin by completing the Donor Skin Order Form (English) or Donor Skin Order Form (German) The completed form can be returned to: 

Before deciding to place an order, please read our General Terms and Conditions.

Ordering Glyaderm

Glyaderm can be provided meshed 1:1.

You can order Glyaderm by completing the Glyaderm Order Form. The completed form can be returned to:

Before deciding to place an order, please read our General Terms and Conditions.

Delivery period

The delivery period depends on the method of delivery chosen in your order. If your order is placed before 12 noon, it can be delivered the next day (in most cases).

Orders are delivered by TNT. The delivery charges for our customers are based on the costs of the transport company’s parcel service.

Price information

For information about prices you can contact:

Information about the use of donor skin

GPA (glycerol-preserved donor skin) can be used:

  • To cover wounds in the treatment of skin defects such as burns and chronic wounds
  • To prevent infections in skin defects
  • To cover wounds temporarily, while waiting for autografts
  • To cover autografts (e.g. using mesh grafts and micrografts)

For more information, see: Treatment methods.

Before use

  • The donor skin is preserved in glycerol. Before use, the glycerol must be washed out for 10 minutes in saline solution.
  • Every container with donor skin has a label on it, stating the donor number and the amount of skin in cm². The donor number must be added to the patient’s medical record. The label can be used for this purpose. The label can be used for future reference to obtain further information about the donor, if necessary. In connection with the traceability of tissue, it is necessary to report the use of donor skin in a patient to ETB-BISLIFE. The form provided with each donor skin delivery can be used for this purpose.

Storage instructions

When unopened, donor skin preserved in 85% glycerol can be stored at a temperature of 2-8 °C. The expiry date is indicated on the packaging. Donor skin must not be used after the expiry date.

Once the packaging has been opened, the donor skin can be stored for 48 hours at a temperature of 2-8 °C. The donor skin must not be frozen.

Contraindications

There are no known harmful effects of the use of glycerol-preserved donor skin during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Side effects

During the preservation process of the donor skin, antibiotics (penicillin, vancomycinand gentamicin) are used. Small quantities of these antibiotics may be found in the glycerol solution. Hyperallergic patients may experience an allergic reaction.