Cadaver embalming and fixing solutions from past to present

Seyma Toy 1 * , Yusuf Secgin 1
More Detail
1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Karabük University, Karabük, Turkey
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, Volume 19, Issue 5, pp. 9-11. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/12551
OPEN ACCESS 931 Views 1872 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Cadaver and organ embalming-fixing solutions have a long history. The aim of this study is to follow this historical adventure step by step and to consider the point of embalming and fixation solutions. This study was carried out on the literature published to Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct between 2000 and 2021. During the search, “cadaver, cadaver dissection, cadaver detection, cadaver use, cadaver embalming, cadaver preservation and organ preservation” were chosen as keywords. The discovery of formaldehyde in 1869 was clearly a turning point for cadaver and organ embalming-fixing solutions, and formaldehyde-based solutions are widely used even today. However, in addition to formaldehyde-based solutions, there are methods such as plastinization, paraffinization, resin embedding methods. It is clearly seen in the literature that formaldehyde-based solutions have serious side effects in terms of human health. Therefore, scientists have developed different methods. However, these methods have both application difficulties and accessibility problems compared to formaldehyde-based methods. Solutions that can prevent these problems should be produced in a short time.
Keywords: Cadaveric fixation, cadaver embalming, cadaver protection

CITATION

Toy S, Secgin Y. Cadaver embalming and fixing solutions from past to present. J CLIN MED KAZ. 2022;19(5):9-11. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/12551

REFERENCES

  • Ruhsar E, Demiraslan Y. The Solutions Used in Cadaver Preparation and the Current Approaches. Dicle Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2018;11(2):105-8.
  • Bilge O, Çelik S, Boduç E. Plastination of old fixed locomotor system specimens and usage in education. Ege Tıp Dergisi. 2014;53(2):84-7. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.344058
  • Taşkin Rg, Şafak Nk, Yücel Ah. Comparative Examination of Cadaver Fixation Solutions. ERÜ Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi. 2019;6(2):21-5.
  • McDougall S, Soames R, Felts P. Thiel embalming: Quantifying histological changes in skeletal muscle and tendon and investigating the role of boric acid. Clin Anat. 2020;33(5):696-704. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.23491
  • Balta JY, Twomey M, Moloney F, Duggan O, Murphy KP, O'Connor OJ, et al. A comparison of embalming fluids on the structures and properties of tissue in human cadavers. Anatomia, histologia, embryologia. 2019;48(1):64-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/ahe.12412
  • Völlner F, Pilsl U, Craiovan B, Zeman F, Schneider M, Wörner M, et al. Stability of knee ligament complex of Thiel-embalmed cadaver compared to in vivo knee. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. 2017;71:392-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.04.009
  • Hammer N, Löffler S, Feja C, Sandrock M, Schmidt W, Bechmann I, et al. Ethanol‐glycerin fixation with thymol conservation: A potential alternative to formaldehyde and phenol embalming. Anatomical sciences education. 2012;5(4):225-33. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1270
  • Ortadeveci A, Semih Ö. Kadavra Tarihi, Kadavra'nın Türkiye ve Dünya'da Anatomi Eğitiminde Kullanılması ve Fiksasyon. Türk Dünyası Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi Klinik Anatomi Dergisi. 2017;2(1):21-38.
  • Canbolat M, Şenol D. A Potential Source In Embalming And Dissection Education: Health Tourism. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası. 2019;18(54):88-91. https://doi.org/10.25282/ted.460566
  • Brenner E. Human body preservation - old and new techniques. Journal of Anatomy. 2014; 224(3):316-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12160
  • Balta JY, Cronin M, Cryan JF, O'mahony Sm. Human preservation techniques in anatomy: a 21st century medical education perspective. Clinical Anatomy. 2015; 28(6):725-34. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22585
  • Keleş H, Çinaroğlu S. Comparison of texture and color values of rat digestive system organs prepared with fresh and alkid resin. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2019;16(3):198-203. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.648561
  • Çinaroğlu S, Ari Hh. Investigation of macro anatomy of the urogenital system organs of norduz sheep by using the method of alkyd resin and preparation of their cadavers. Van Veterinary Journal. 2015;26(3):129-39.
  • Çinaroğlu S, Ari Hh. Investigation of Macro Anatomy of The Urogenital System Organs of Norduz Sheep by Using The Method of Alkyd Resin and Preparation of Their Cadavers. Van Veterinary Journal. 2015;26(3):129-40.
  • Arı H, Çınaroğlu S. A new approach to preservation of some organs using alkyd resin. Research in veterinary science. 2011;90(1):16-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2010.05.017
  • Üstün Ç. Plastination. Is it a Science or a Freak Show? Meandros Medical And Dental Journal. 2002;3(1):37-42.
  • Kurt E, Yurdakul SE, Ataç A. An overview of the technologies used for anatomy education in terms of medical history. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2013;103:109-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.314
  • Ünsaldi E, Çiftçi Mk. Formaldehyde and its Using Areas, Risk Group, Harmful Effects and Protective Precautions Against it. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2010;21(1):71-5.
  • Zararsız İ, Kuş İ, Yılmaz H, Köse E, Sarsılmaz M. Antioxidant Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Experimental Formaldehyde Toxicity induced İnjury of Hippocampus. Ulusal Anatomi Kongresi. 2008; 22(2):26-9.
  • İlter K, Zararsiz İ, Ögetürk M, Yilmaz Hr, Sarsilmaz M. Testicular SOD, GSH-Px and MDA Levels in Experimental Toxicity of Formaldehyde and Protective Effect of ω-3 Fatty Acids. Fırat Tıp Dergisi. 2008;13(1):1-4.
  • Okan E, İnsal B, Bakici C, Haziroğlu Rm, Akgün Ro. Whole Body Silicone Plastination of Snakes with Cold-Temperature Technique. Dicle Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2014(1):1-14.