Why a substitute skin was used to treat Faisal Halim's chemical burns

Sinar Daily

3 days ago

MANY Malaysians will remember the shocking incident involving national footballer Faisal Halim, who sustained life-threatening injuries in an acid attack on May, 5 2024.
The 27-year-old winger, known affectionately as 'Mickey,' suffered fourth-degree chemical burns after being assaulted by an unknown individual outside a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya.
Faisal spent 10 days in intensive care and a total of three weeks in hospital, during which he underwent multiple surgeries. In the weeks that followed, public attention turned to the progress of his recovery, particularly the use of substitute skin in his treatment.
Why was this method chosen? Was the damage so severe that skin had to be imported?
The use of substitute skin was a critical part of Faisal's treatment plan, reflecting the seriousness of his injuries and the urgent need for specialised care.
According to Avisena Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Wan Syazli Rodzaian Wan Ahmad, chemical burns are among the most dangerous types of burns a person can suffer.
Unlike thermal burns, which stop causing damage once the heat source is removed, chemical burns involve both a corrosive reaction and heat injury, meaning the harmful agent continues damaging the tissue long after initial contact. Avisena Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Wan Syazli Rodzaian Wan Ahmad
Dr Wan Syazli emphasised that this "two-in-one" injury presents a major challenge in treatment.
'When we deal with a chemical burn, the chemical agent remains on the skin and continues to cause damage.
'In contrast, with a fire burn, once the heat source is removed and the wound is dressed, it's usually quite clean, as there's no longer any agent actively causing harm,' he said during a recent interview at Avisena Women's & Children's Specialist Hospital.
However, he added, in chemical burns, the acidic or alkaline substance may remain in the tissue for weeks even up to two months, continuing to harm the skin and delaying the start of reconstruction.
He stated that using artificial, lab-made skin substitutes is not suitable in these cases. Instead, real human skin is required to neutralise the chemical agent and protect the underlying tissue.
In Faisal's case, he said that donated human skin was sourced from a specialised skin bank in Belgium, the only global supplier at the time since Malaysia does not yet have its own.
He pointed out that while importing such skin typically takes two weeks, the urgency of Faisal's case meant that the team had only two days. Thanks to swift coordination and the involvement of key authorities, the skin arrived in record time.
Dr Wan Syazli said the substitute skin costing around RM40,000 was used temporarily for two weeks. Its primary role was not permanent reconstruction but to draw out and neutralise the remaining acid in the skin, stabilising Faisal's condition.
Once the chemical reaction subsided, the team then proceeded to the next phase, which involved multiple reconstructive procedures.
'We used a variety of modern techniques, including stem cells, a specialised type of serum, and skin grafts to support the healing process.
'In this case, the facial scarring was quite severe, so we also carried out additional procedures such as laser treatments and others to improve the outcome,' he said.
The reconstructive work included advanced treatments such as stem cell therapy, specialised serums, skin grafts, and laser interventions, particularly on Faisal's face, which had sustained extensive scarring.
Dr Wan Syazli emphasised that despite early scepticism due to the severity of the injuries, the team managed to bring Faisal to a stage of recovery that exceeded expectations.
He said the outcome was made possible by collective effort, from surgeons to nurses and support staff and by working under immense time pressure.
The challenge was intensified further as Dr Wan Syazli had been due to depart for Hajj within three weeks of Faisal's admission, leaving a narrow window to complete such a complex case.
He noted that treating such extensive burns is not a solo effort.
A dedicated team of specialists was assembled from the outset, with every member playing a vital role, from surgical planning to logistical support.
Describing the experience as a 'mission impossible,' he credited the hospital team's dedication and coordination for the successful outcome.
Dr Wan Syazli also underlined the importance of establishing a local skin bank in Malaysia.
While Belgium's facility was crucial in Faisal's treatment, the Health Ministry is currently working on creating Malaysia's own repository for donated human skin, which would significantly improve response time and accessibility for future patients.
He emphasised by stating that while modern technology allows for extraordinary medical achievements, mental resilience plays an equally critical role.
Faisal's strong willpower and determination, combined with advanced treatment and a committed medical team, allowed him to make a remarkable return, defying odds that once predicted he might never play football again.
Despite extensive investigations, police have yet to identify a suspect.
On May 8, 2025, Faisal's legal team revealed that the Attorney-General's Chambers had classified the case as 'No Further Action' (NFA).
Although the case remains open, police confirmed there are no new leads at this time. The AGC noted that the decision could be revisited should new evidence come to light.
Faisal, a key figure for both the national team and Selangor, captured national attention when his equaliser against South Korea was voted the best goal of the 2024 Asian Cup.