Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2016 Dec;29(4):155-165. 10.11637/kjpa.2016.29.4.155.

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

• Shin SS
• Yang HC
• Nam KI

• KMID: 2364638
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.2016.29.4.155

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Cadaver; Ethanol-glycerin fixation; Formalin-phenol fixation; Dissection

MeSH Terms

Bacteria
Cadaver*
Education
Elasticity
Elbow
Embalming*
Epidermal Growth Factor
Fungi
Humans*
Joints
Ligation
Methods
Odors
Shoulder
Skin
Students, Medical
Sutures
Thigh
Ultrasonography
Wrist Joint
Epidermal Growth Factor

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Time frame of study design. FPF: formalin-phenol fixation, EGF: ethanol-glycerin fixation, HSEA: high-speed embalming apparatus, Fridge: carrying cadavers out of the refrigerator, P&T: All procedures and tests, 2°CT: second culture test, wk: week.

• 

  Fig. 2. Assessment of physical and chemical characteristics in cadavers embalmed by two different methods. (A) to (B) are formalin-phenol solution-fixed cadavers, whereas (C) to (F) are ethanol-glycerin solution-fixed cadavers. (A) and (D): skin incision and decollement; (B): vessel ligation; (E): small intestine; (C) and (F): the vasculature of meninges and brain.

• 

  Fig. 3. Assessment of the range of motion in cadavers embalmed by two different methods. (A) to (C) are formalin-phenol solution-fixed cadavers, whereas (D) to (F) are ethanol-glycerin solution-fixed cadavers. (A) and (D): shoulder abduction; (B) and (E): elbow flexion; (C) and (F): wrist flexion.

• 

  Fig. 4. Ultrasonography in cadavers embalmed by two different methods. (A) to (C) are from the formalin-phenol solution-fixed cadavers, whereas (D) to (F) are from ethanol-glycerin solution-fixed cadavers. (A) and (D) images through right upper quadrant in abdomen; (B) and (E) images through pelvis; (C) and (F) images through right thigh.

Reference

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