134 - Comparison of Dissection Quality and Mold Resistance in Cadaveric Embalming with and Without Phenol and Glycerin for the Purpose of Anatomical Education at Georgetown University

Poster Board Number: 134
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Co-authors:

Callie Fernandez - Georgetown University School of Medicine; John Dowd - Georgetown University School of Medicine; Carlos Suarez-Quian - Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology - Georgetown University Medical Center

Abstract Body : INTRODUCTION: The longevity of cadaver use is limited by environmental contamination such as mold. Phenol and Glycerin are antifungal components of embalming fluid that have sought to solve this problem, yet their use has been associated with inferior visual and tactile tissue preservation, thus leading to lower dissection quality for naive dissectors in medical education. Despite this, there is limited data on alternative embalming techniques that would improve the duration of cadaver viability, while maintaining a high quality of preservation and dissection. This study seeks to assess the dissection quality and mold resistance in cadaveric embalming with and without Phenol and Glycerin for optimization of cadaveric use in medical education.



METHODS: Simultaneous dissections were performed in the Georgetown University School of Medicine gross anatomy lab on two cadavers controlled for gender, age and cause of death (congenital heart failure), preserved with conventional and phenol-free solutions respectively. The conventional embalming solution [King Anatomical MD State Concentrate] was composed of 33.3% Glycerin; 27.8% Phenol; 5.6% Formaldehyde [37%]; 33.3% Methanol. The phenol-free solution [Dodge Permaglo35] was composed of 25-50% Formaldehyde; 10-25% Methanol; proprietary components. Participants working in pairs completed naive blinded dissection of the back and upper limb of one cadaver; pairs were swapped for dissection of the lower limb. Participants were then surveyed on ease of dissection, pungency, pliability, and visual and tactile differentiation of tissue, with responses aggregated for qualitative analysis. Following dissection completion, 15 2cm2 skin samples were taken from 6 paired locations (chest; back; posterior thigh; posterior arm; palmar hand; plantar foot) on each cadaver. Matched skin samples were placed in adjacent petri dishes with breathable coverings in high traffic areas within the anatomy labs for a total of 120 days, simulating the duration of use of a single cadaver in medical education. Mold growth was assessed at 60 and 120 days.

RESULTS: Surveyed participants reported that embalming without phenol yielded superior pliability, visual and tactile tissue differentiation, with more easily elucidated muscles and vasculature. The phenol-free cadaver was also found to be less odorous, although some participants noted increased pungency and irritation. At the conclusion of the 120 day period, mold growth was not appreciated on any of the samples.

CONCLUSION: These qualitative results challenge prior Georgetown University School of Medicine embalming techniques, highlighting the importance of continued research in cadaveric embalming practices to optimize quality of dissection and medical education.