just wondering how long the donor strip can survive outside of the body, you hear of operations of 6 hours or more (what's the longest operation you've heard of - those 3000 graft mega sessions must take longer?). Do they preserve it by keeping it a low temperature? Sounds like it's not a problem, but there must be a finite limit to how long the fu's can survive without a blood supply.
<Dr.Glenn Charles>
Posted
The goal is to have donor tissue out of the body no longer than 4-6 hours. The most important factor is keeping the strip of donor tissue moist and cool. However, most clinics will start placing the smallest and most delicate grafts as soon as they are ready. If these general rules are followed there should be excellent graft survival.
<Dr. Limmer>
Posted
Scientific studies show uniform survival to 8 hours after removal of donor strip, held in chilled saline. After 8 hours the loss rate is about 1% per hour.
