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Cadaver embalming fluid for surgical training courses: modified Larssen solution

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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

10% Formalin (F10)-fixed cadavers have disadvantages such as disturbing smell, mucosal irritation, discoloration and rigidity. We aimed to determine a suitable, simple and cost-effective embalming method that preserves color, texture, pliability and flexibility of the tissues for a long time without a disturbing smell and mucosal irritation. The embalmed cadavers were expected to be durable against environmental effects, utilizable for multiple and repetitive surgical trainings and instrumentations.

Methods

Eight male (six intact, two autopsied bodies) and four female (three intact and one imported trunk) human cadavers were preserved with modified Larssen solution (MLS). Preserved bodies were kept in the deep freezers at −18/−20 °C. Bodies were allowed to thaw at room temperature 3 days prior to use. They were used in postgraduate hands-on courses for several medical disciplines. Each course lasted at least 1 day and during this period the bodies were stayed at room temperature. Assessments of 30 trainers and 252 trainees were collected during the courses. Additionally, the organoleptic characteristics of the fresh frozen (FF), preserved with MLS and F10-fixed cadavers were compared.

Results

The colors of muscles, fasciae, fatty tissue, nerves and vessels were evaluated and life-like tissues of MLS cadavers were impressive. There were no obvious or disturbing smell and sign of putrefaction of the MLS cadavers.

Conclusions

MLS is a sustainable and relatively affordable soft cadaver embalming method. Its application is same as in other conventional methods and does not need new equipment. This article indicates the success of the MLS method in human cadavers.

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Abbreviations

A:

External iliac artery

ED:

Extensor digitorum muscle

EI:

Extensor indicis muscle

F:

Fascia and fatty tissue

FF:

Fresh frozen

Fm:

Female

FPL:

Flexor pollicis longus muscle

F10:

10% Formalin

GF:

Genitofemoral nerve

GO:

Grater omentum

I:

Small intestinal loops

IO:

Internal obturator muscle

M:

Male

Md:

Median umbilical fold

MLS:

Modified Larssen solution

Ml:

Left medial umbilical fold

O:

Obturator nerve

P:

Parietal peritoneum

PCNL:

Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy

PF:

Paravesical fossa

PQ:

Pronator quadratus muscle

R:

Radial bone

S:

Sigmoid colon

TOT:

Transobturator taping surgery

TVT:

Transvaginal taping surgery

V:

External iliac vein

U:

Uterus

US:

Ultrasonography

UT:

Uterine tube

Yellow arrow:

Epidermal peeling

Blue arrow:

Skin fold

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35040, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey

    Okan Bilge & Servet Celik

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  1. Okan Bilge
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  2. Servet Celik
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OB: literature search, study design, data interpretation and manuscript editing. SC: study design, data collection, data interpretation, manuscript preparation and literature search.

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Correspondence to Servet Celik.

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Bilge, O., Celik, S. Cadaver embalming fluid for surgical training courses: modified Larssen solution. Surg Radiol Anat 39, 1263–1272 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-017-1865-4

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