Workable cadaveric preservation for developing skills training models- a review

Received: 22-Jun-2021 Accepted Date: Jul 08, 2021; Published: 15-Jul-2021, DOI: 10.37532/1308-4038.14(7).116-119

Citation: Sontakke BR, 2Deshmukh VD, 3Kirubhanand C, et al. Workable cadaveric preservation for developing skills training models- a review. Int J Anat Var. 2021;14(7):116-119.

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Abstract

Art of embalming as practiced by Egyptians about 3000 years ago transformed into embalming science of modern ages with the use of formaldehyde as a preservative solution. Subsequently, the search for an ideal embalming preservative solution continues to date because of the health hazards related to formaldehyde preservation of cadavers. Alternative preservative methods and solutions suitable for making different skill training models with the specific requirements of pliability have also experimented. The literature had documented various solutions like Thiel’s solution and technique, phenoxyethanol preservation, saturated sodium chloride solution, cryopreservation, N-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, Ethanol–glycerin and Fix 4life solution as alternatives to formaldehyde preservation. This review is an attempt to have an overview comparison of all the recent alternate embalming methods applicable for developing skill training cadaveric models with an aim of reducing formaldehyde usage in preservation.

Keywords

Embalming; Cadaver; Preservation; Thiel embalming; Phenoxyethanol; Salt solution

Introduction

The Physical immortality is a never-ending quest for human beings. Over the history of mankind, different methods of preserving the body before and after death were being practiced. All those preservations of dead body were in the realm of religion and belief of afterlife, as practised since 3000 years for Egyptian mummies [1]. The process of near-normal preservation of human cadaver with chemical resulting in minimal decomposition and microbial growth is called embalming [2]. This embalming is of two types namely funeral and medical embalming. In either of these types, the body tissues were fixed by chemical preservative fluid. The long duration of preservation is the aim of medical embalming whereas in funeral it’s for a shorter temporary duration. The ideal preservation fluid has been considered to exhibit antibacterial, fungicidal, non-toxic and non-discolouring properties, still retaining the flexibility of joints and tissues. Metamorphosis of “art of embalming” to “science of preservation” had resulted in experimentation of different compositions, mixtures and preservative solutions for preservation over the recent years.

Changing trends in medical education after Flexner’s report had necessitated formal skill training of procedures a reality. The congruent shift in patient safety measures, ethical and legal reviews in patient care and advancement of surgical procedures paved way for development of skill training models for medical graduates [3-6]. Apart from the specific requirements in each of these skill training models, achieving “near life” flexibility and pliability in cadavers happened to the common requirement [3]. This review was an attempt to provide a comprehensive enumeration of preservative solutions ideal for skill training models, from the multitude of available embalming fluids.

Formaldehyde

Apart from different natural preservatives used in ancient times, formaldehyde has been in vogue as the primary preservative in embalming in the modern era [7]. Altered DNA methylation, histone modification & changes in microRNA expression are the epigenetic effects and reduced counts of NK cells, regulatory T cells & CD8 effector memory T cells were also noted due to inhalation of formaldehyde [8]. Repeated reports of cytotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in embalming personnel and also darkening of preserved cadavers with increased stiffness were considered as limitations of formaldehyde usage [9- 11]. Despite these disadvantages, formaldehyde stood as the ideal cadaveric preservative fluid in common use in the embalming arena and anatomy dissection laboratory. Continued research on formaldehyde and its tolerable concentration resulted in a specific guideline of setting the concentration of formaldehyde in the environment between 0.03-0.3 ppm to minimize the deleterious effects. But, the concentration warranted for effective cadaveric preservation caused 5-7 ppm in the environment which was far too high than permitted levels [12]. Thus, the search for alternative preservative fluid which is as effective as formaldehyde, yet having fewer limitations, ideal for making of particular skill training model had resulted in different formulations of embalming fluid in cadaveric preservation.

Modified laskowski solution

The Original modified Laskowski Solution had phenol and glycerin as components which were the probable cause for the strong and unpleasant sugary odor emitted from cadavers. Losses of tissue texture and skin desquamation of cadaver were noted. This had made this preservative fluid less suitable for oral and skin surgery skill training models. Even though this solution retained flexibility as desired, the intense red staining and incomplete preservation of cadaveric tissues prevented widespread use of this solution for cadaveric embalming for specific skill training model development purposes [13].

Glutaldehyde

Harries and Tank synthesized glutaraldehyde in 1908. It was first used as a fixative for embalming in 1955. It has disinfective and sterilizing properties effective against the majority of the microorganisms including viruses and spores. Also, the preserved cadavers exhibited required pliability. But the slow perfusion of Glutaraldehyde into the cadaveric tissue necessitating prolonged time for fixation and preservation limited its usage. Moreover, Glutaraldehyde vapors used for long-term were observed to cause respiratory irritation and localized edema for the exposed personnel. These disadvantages led on to decision of European Commission, Brussels to enforce discontinuation of glutaraldehyde preservation for cadavers since 2010 [13].

Phenoxyethanol (phenoxytol, phenoxyethyl alcohol) embalming

The Phenoxyethanol, an aromatic oily liquid with the appreciable antiseptic property was used mainly for zoological specimen fixation apart from its normal usage in antiseptic, bactericidal creams, cosmetics and insect repellents [14]. Trials were done to find the effectiveness of this compound as an alternate preservative solution for formalin preservation in human cadavers.

It was observed that phenoxyethanol lacks the efficiency to be an early fixative of tissues because of its limitation in preventing autolysis of cells.

This warranted usage of additional early fixative like formalin along with phenoxyethanol. In this method of preservation formalin fixation and phenoxyethanol preservation in two staged process was done. During dissection also the cadaver and other dissected parts were subjected to treatment and covering with sheets soaked in the same compound. Direct non-exposure of skin of personnel working in preservation was the only specific precaution advised during handling of cadavers embalmed by this method [15]. Subsequent studies suggested the need for substitution of formalin in cadaver fixation and increasing usage of phenoxyethanol for cadavers, museum specimen and even histological fixation of tissues [15]. Non-pungent odour and almost negligible local as well as systemic toxicity by phenoxyethanol were considered to be its advantages [16]. The 600 litres of chemical usage for every single cadaver, almost 10 months of fixation process, need for continuous immersion of specimens to prevent mould formation and sporadic reporting of instances of immunosuppression of exposed health personnel were claimed as limitations of using this preservation for skill training models [17].

Fresh frozen (cryopreservation) embalming

The Low temperature blocks the biochemical mechanisms that trigger cell death cascade in cells. This basic scientific principle was put into use in the fresh frozen method of embalming cadavers with a sub-zero temperature of 77-kelvin degrees. This method also used vitrification solutions that could crystallize the water in the cadavers [18]. This method was found to be exemplary in human Oocyte preservation with a triple sucrose solution as an adjuvant [19].

Laessen solution(modified)

The original formula of Larssen solution and is modified known as ‘Modified Larssen solution’ (MLS) . In MLS, along with other salts, glycerol was added and formalin was reduced in comparison to original solution. When compared to formalin-fixed cadavers it was found that the flexibility and working comfort of MLS fixed cadavers were satisfactory enough to utilize for surgical training courses. The need to thaw the cadaver at room temperature for at least 3 days before actual utilization of the long term preserved cadavers was considered as a negligible limitation for MLS [20].

Thiel embalming

By 1992, a method of soft embalming using two types of solution one for intravenous and another for immersion was put forward by Professor Walter Thiel. In this technique, the organ was Perfused through specific tubes and cavities were intravenously injected [21]. Extensive successful usage of this method over the years had perfected this technique [22-26]. Certain documentation of modification to the Thiel’s solution concerning the concentration of chemicals and mixture composition also exist [27-31].

Quest for effective method of musculoskeletal preservation tested the suitability of Thiel’s technique. The distinctive tissue plane demarcation, realistic joint architecture with the flexibility of joints proved to be beneficial outcomes observed in this method [32]. Another study detailed the chemical action of Thiel’s solution upon musculoskeletal elements of the cadaveric specimen employing an animal model. The study demonstrated that the boric acid used in Thiel’s solution acted as a denaturing agent to myofibrils resulting in fragmentation and degradation of muscle fibres. Yet, tendon was noted to be non-disrupted by this method [33].

The property of Thiel’s method in restoring hydration of cadaver was the distinctive factor that made “soft embalming” to be considered for developing different skill training models [24]. It was also found to be appropriate for human cadaver used in making a flap and microvascular suture training specimens [22]. Simulation model training with fibreoptic tracheal intubation found cadavers preserved using Thiel’s solution proved to be superior to even manikins [34].

Various studies had observed that cadavers embalmed with Thiel’s method were reasonably accommodative for diverse sophisticated surgical training models when compared to routine formalin-fixed cadavers [35-39]. Hands-on training models for various laparoscopic surgery, image guided training models developed using Thiel’s cadaver with documented effectiveness[40].

In midst of all these astounding effectiveness in skill training model development, Thiel’s fixation was claimed to have high electrical conductivity as a considerable limitation. Presence of potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and sodium sulphite in Thiel’s composition was ascribed as the reason for this phenomenon. An attempt was done in altering the chemical composition and concentration without compromising the advantages provided by Thiel’s solution. In this alternate method, specimens were subjected to the two-staged process where in they were submerged in original Thiel’s solution for 28 days only and followed by the 2 weeks usage of the modified solution [41]. Even though, this modification eliminated the electrical conducting phenomenon of Thiel’s fixation, the difficulty in internal visceral dissection stayed to be challenging in specimens preserved by this method. Thus this method of cadaver preservation was found to have limitation for use among students for routine dissection in anatomy laboratory [29].

Saturated salt solution (sss) embalming method

In the pursuit for yet another effective alternative to formaldehyde fixation of cadavers, SSS with its different salts was experimented [30].

This solution was used in cadavers used for orthopedic surgical training, anatomy dissection and advanced trauma surgical training workshop model [42-43]. An advanced “cadaver based educational seminar for trauma surgery” found SSS method of fixation to be advantageous with reduced level of formaldehyde exposure [44]. Evaluation of comparative fixation efficacy in cadavers among the three common solutions, SSS, Thiel solution and formalin solution for skills training concluded that SSS exhibited a greater level of maintenance of tissue integrity. It also found that SSS cadavers were of low infectious risk and reduced formalin-induced consequences to the persons handling cadavers. And so, cadavers embalmed by SSS were declared to be proper for developing trauma surgical skills training models [45].

Ethanol-glycerin fixation method

In this method, the post embalming preservation was done at 5 degrees with cadavers wrapped with polyethylene foil. This method reported preservation of body without any evidence of putrefaction occurring in the embalmed cadaver up to 3 years duration [46]. Increased flexibility of cadaveric joints aiding easy approach to challenging regions like axilla and perineum was proposed as the prime advantage of this method. The distinction between nervous and vascular structures and detailed internal organs architecture were also observed to be preserved in this ethanol –glycerin method of fixation. Usage of this fixation method for finer preservation of cadaver without added health determents was reported by few studies [47]. Superiority of ethanol-glycerin fixation method for routine student dissection in contrast to Thiel’s embalming technique was also documented. Nevertheless, the same study reported the limitation of the ethanol-glycerin fixation for the preservation of cadaveric workshop specimens [48].

Shellac mixture

Shellac is an animal origin natural polymer, derived from secretions of Lac insects named Laccifer Lacca. The resin was secreted forms the covering of the insect larvae. The lac is collected from the host trees by cutting branches containing resinous insects and grinding with processing. Shellac is soluble in alcohol and alkaline solutions but insoluble in water. It has very low water and acid permeability. Commonly this polymer was used in food industry, ceiling, glossing and also in pharmaceutical industries. The use of shellac mixture for embalming of cadavers was observed to be safe and environment friendly. But slight brown discoloration of skin and not tested for skill training model development were its limitations [49].

Goyri-o-neillembalming solution

The contents of this solution were toxic by nature. As they did not produce any toxic vapors at room temperature and were not harmful on touch unless directly it was deemed to be fit for usage. No change in color of skin with minimal change in the elasticity and minimal increase in the swelling of tissues were reported in cadavers embalmed using this solution. Retention of flexibility of joints as similar to live state with maintenance of structural neurovascular integrity and high morphological correlation with the living tissues even on scanning electron microscopic examination were significant advantages of using this solution for preparing skill training models [50].

Natekar and Desouza Solution

The contents Long duration of preservation of undissected cadavers, free of fungus and maggots upto 5years was considered to be the prime factor for using this preservation method. It was also observed that skin exhibited a natural look. The fascia, arteries and muscles appeared red dish in color which made differentiating them easy in skill training specimen [51]. The cost effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature of the solutions composition added to its advantage.

N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (nvp) embalming

The cadaver fixation for approaching norma basalis by endoscopic transnasal route was tested by utilizing a “preserve ”solution [52]. The cadavers were observed to have soft, pliable body cavities, transparent connective tissue with reduced subcutaneous fat, clearly delineated vessels, nerves and flexible joints. This study finalized that NVP fixation of cadavers could be considered beneficial to routine formalin fixation when the aim of fixation was for skills training and development of innovative models involving cavities [53].

Fix 4 life solution

The quest for ideal cadaver preservation for airway management simulation training concluded that fix for life (F4L) solution made up of a non-hazardous mixture of aldehydes and manikin cadavers were the most suitable method [54]. This review of merits and demerits of different cadaver preservation methods in usage for skill training model development impressed upon the impracticability of finding out the ultimate single cadaver fixation and preservative solution workable in all possible scenarios. A comprehensive compilation of different preservation solutions ideal for specific surgical skill training model specimen preparation could be used as guide while planning for cadaveric training workshops.

Conclusion

Each of these different methods reviewed in this study exhibited its inherent pros and cons. The responsibility of weighing the benefits of one particular embalming technique over another and addressing its possible health hazards to the handling personnel lies with the expert anatomist. The choice of fixative finally depends upon the consequent purpose for which the preservation was done for that cadaver specifically.

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