Suitability of Ethanol-Glycerin Embalming Cadavers for the Training of Human Anatomy

Abstract

(Table 2). (Table 4). (Table 6). (Fig. 2C, F). Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical SchoolAbstract : This study evaluates the suitability of cadavers embalmed by the ethanol-glycerin fixative for the dissection course of medical students and the hands-on dissection workshop of clinicians. Five cadavers were embalmed by two different methods: two formalin-phenol fixation (FPF) and three ethanol-glycerin fixation (EGF) cadavers. The measurement of physical and chemical characteristics including ranges of motion (ROM), bacterial and fungal culture tests, and ultrasonography were performed for each cadaver. The EGF cadavers were evaluated to be significantly more suitable than FPF cadavers for the physical and chemical characteristics including color, texture, elasticity, wetness (softness), skin incision, vessel ligation and suture, decollement, odor, and irritant. In shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints, ROMs of the EGF cadavers were statistically more than those of the FPF except for elbow extension. On bacterial and fungal culture tests at 8 weeks after carrying out of refrigerator, one bacteria were detected in one EGF cadaver; however, some bacteria and fungi could be detected in all FPF cadavers. The ultrasound images of abdominal organ and thigh musculature could be more clearly detected in the EGF cadavers than those of FPF cadavers.These results indicate that the EGF method had a sufficient antibiotic effect and produced cadavers with flexible joints and a high tissue quality suitable for various cadaveric dissection courses.

Undergraduate medical student perceptions and learning outcomes related to anatomy training using Thiel‐ and ethanol‐glycerin‐embalmed tissues

“…The utility of both these embalming methods can also be seen in anatomical studies concerning head and neck regions conducted on tissues previously used in the classroom. Both ethanol‐glycerin‐ (Hammer et al, 2011; Shin et al, 2016; Cotofana et al, 2017; Planitzer et al, 2017; Lee et al, 2018; Ruiz et al, 2018; Çırak et al, 2020; Siwetz et al, 2021; Jung et al, 2022) and Thiel‐ (Benkhadra et al, 2008; Pilsl & Anderhuber, 2010; Hölzle et al, 2012; Pilsl et al, 2012; Pilsl et al, 2014; Ottone et al, 2016; Pilsl et al, 2016; Bruneder et al, 2018; Bruneder et al, 2022) embalmed specimens were used successfully in macroscopic anatomy studies related to the peripheral nervous system, maxillofacial surgery, and other dental surgical interventions.…”