A Need to Protect the Health and Rights of Anatomists Working in Dissection Laboratories

Abstract

Anatomy in the context of medical or health science often requires dissection. Anatomical dissection is the purposeful and procedural exploration of the human tissues and organs by physically cutting through defined body planes, regions, and organs to access, define and explore the structures in a manner that facilitates learning. Anatomical dissection is a basic requirement for anatomical and medical education. It is a requirement in certain other fields of health sciences as well. Unfortunately, in many instances, the prosector and dissector in the anatomy laboratories are not considered for the hazards to which they are exposed whether in their health plans or remuneration package. Dissectors, unlike conventional hospital laboratory workers are often considered routine workers or teaching assistants. This is the case, for example, in many African medical institutions. Administrators possibly presume that hazards are only associated with service laboratories in the hospital or teaching hospital departments. It would therefore serve the purpose of advocacy, education, and orientation to highlight the hazards that these individuals who serve as dissectors, prosectors and laboratory staff members are exposed to. This commentary highlights the nature and sources of risks that anatomists who dissect, prosect and work in anatomical laboratories are exposed to. It also highlights how the rights and health of anatomists who dissect can be protected with specific recommendations. Hence, the recommendations speak to policies and practices that are required to serve this purpose. After highlighting the major risks that anatomists who dissect might face, and the major causes of the risks, we wish to propose ways by which these could be addressed based on these key considerations: protect, prevent, and compensate. This is what we have also termed the PPC principle for protecting the health and professional rights of anatomists who dissect and work in anatomical laboratories.

Geçmişten günümüze kadavra enfeksiyon hastalıklarının gözden geçirilmesi

“…5. Protections-The welfare levels of cadaver dissectors should be positively ensured and protected (Owolabi et al, 2022).…”

“…The cadaver is the most important study material for the student's studying anatomy. Anatomical dissections don't just enhance the cognitive domain of learning or knowledge but also help the student of the subject to accumulating exploratory skills that might be further enhanced and applied to the fields of anatomical sciences and surgical sciences (Owolabi, Tijani & Ihunwo, 2022;Shoja, Benninger, Agutter, Loukas & Tubbs, 2013). As with many professions, working in anatomy has risks.…”

Presence of Contagious Bacterial Flora in Formalin-Fixed Cadavers: A Potential Health Hazard to Medical Professionals

“…This is found to show various adverse effects on the students and dissectors which include headache, nausea, dizziness, dryness of eyes and mucous membranes, overflow of tears, and a burning sensation in the eyes and throat. Long-term exposure to formalin may also lead to skin disorders and cancer [14].…”

“…Even though cadavers are disinfected by preserving them in embalming fluids, they can still carry several infections because the disinfection techniques that are being followed are not completely effective. As we deal with sharp instruments while dissecting, this can increase the chances of transmission of diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis through any cuts or open wounds on the skin of students or people handling cadavers that can accidentally happen during dissection [14].…”

Protocol Development for Digisection: Making a Case for Standardizing Educational Technology Use for Digital Dissection and Anatomical Studies

“…Following this philosophy, anatomical dissection involves methodical, and procedural cutting and exploration of the gross human body for the purpose of appreciating its structural components and correlating such observations with functional, clinical, and applied correlations. Students of anatomical sciences dissect to understand the human body so that they can use such knowledge in applied domains such as clinical practices, surgery, and research [ 1 , 2 ]. Digisection is coined from two root words, namely, digital dissection.…”