The Life Shield for Burn Survivors: Understanding the Critical Role of the Tri-Service General Hospital National Skin Bank
Update Date：2025/12/05，
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Preface: A Most Precious Gift of Life
In today’s era of advanced medical science, there remains one medical resource that cannot be perfectly replicated by any artificial means—human cadaveric skin.
For patients suffering from extensive and deep burn injuries, the loss of their body’s first line of defense exposes them to life-threatening risks such as fluid loss, infection, and shock. When healthy skin available for autografting is insufficient, cadaveric skin becomes the most crucial and effective “life shield” in the hands of physicians. It provides optimal wound protection, moisture retention, and promotes angiogenesis and growth factor production—laying the strongest foundation for future autologous skin grafting.
Yet, this precious gift is extremely scarce. To preserve and honor every donation and transform each into lifesaving power, the Taiwan National Skin Bank was established—housed within the Department of Plastic Surgery at Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH).
From Pioneer to National Team: The Mission and Legacy of TSGH’s Skin Bank
Tri-Service General Hospital has long been a pioneer in skin preservation in Taiwan. As early as 1985, under the leadership of Director Hsien-Chen Wang, the nation’s first skin bank was founded. By using fresh-frozen porcine skin, it benefitted countless burn and ulcer patients and established TSGH as a leader in wound care.
The 2015 Formosa Fun Coast explosion, which caused nearly 500 burn injuries, revealed Taiwan’s severe shortage of cadaveric skin. The country was forced to spend significant resources purchasing skin from abroad. To prevent such shortages in the future, the Ministry of Health and Welfare commissioned TSGH—given its extensive expertise—to establish a national-level skin bank under the National Cadaveric Skin Preservation Project.
In 2019, the Taiwan National Skin Bank was officially established at TSGH. Its mission is to coordinate nationwide cadaveric skin donation, processing, testing, preservation, and distribution. The center develops standardized SOPs, builds an effective donor recruitment network, and ensures strict quality control—allowing each precious donation to reach patients safely and effectively.
Safeguarding Love: The Skin Bank’s Rigorous Process
Each piece of cadaveric skin represents the selfless love of donors and their families. The Taiwan National Skin Bank operates with profound respect, following the most stringent procedures:
• Donor Recruitment:
When hospitals identify potential donors (brain-dead, cardiac death, or natural death), our team communicates with the family and performs comprehensive medical screening to rule out infectious diseases, specific malignancies, severe infections, or other contraindications.
• Tissue Retrieval & Maintaining Appearance:
Retrieval must occur within hours after death. The body is first thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. Skin is harvested only from areas normally covered by clothing—limbs and torso—never from the head, neck, hands, or feet.
The harvested skin is extremely thin (0.02–0.03 inches). After retrieval, the body is carefully dressed with gauze and elastic bandages to maintain appearance. Visually, there is no significant difference.
• Processing & Preservation:
Upon arrival at the National Skin Bank, the skin undergoes immediate microbial testing and is placed in preservation solutions. Processing is performed in a high-standard sterile environment to ensure safety and quality.
Dispelling Myths and Continuing the Gift of Love
“Will skin donation leave the body disfigured?”
This is the most common concern among families and one of the major reasons skin donation remains rare.
We emphasize that the process is conducted with the utmost respect and professionalism. As noted, only areas covered by clothing are involved, and only a very thin layer of skin is taken. The appearance resembles a slightly lighter skin tone—not the “peeling” imagined by the public.
Another common question is: “How is cadaveric skin different from artificial dressings?”
Cadaveric skin is a biological dressing, offering unmatched biocompatibility, moisture retention, and wound healing support. Although it is not permanent and will eventually be rejected by the body, the critical window it provides in the acute phase is often the difference between life and death.
A Nationwide Mission: The Donation Network
To ensure this love reaches all regions, the Taiwan National Skin Bank has partnered with hospitals across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan—including Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Wanfang Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, China Medical University Hospital, Chi Mei Hospital, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, and Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
Through extensive donor recruitment networks and ongoing training, we maintain adequate skin reserves. We also guarantee partner hospitals that for severe burn patients (≥40% total body surface area), cadaveric skin will be provided free of charge to support lifesaving treatment.
Conclusion: How Can You Join This Mission of Love?
If you support this vision, you may indicate your willingness to donate skin when signing the Organ Donation Consent Card and discuss your wishes with your family.
The Taiwan National Skin Bank represents not only the professional strength of TSGH’s Plastic Surgery Department but also a repository of love and hope. With the highest level of expertise, we protect the quality of every donation, ensuring that this love continues—becoming the strongest life shield for burn survivors and helping them rebuild their futures.
(For questions about donation, please contact the Taiwan National Skin Bank: NSBT@mail.ndmctsgh.edu.tw)