Cadaver preservation for surgical skill training: Comparison of two embalming formulations

Abstract

At the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil, preliminary surgical training involving live animals has been replaced by the use of embalmed canine cadavers. This study aimed to improve the embalming technique based on the modified Larssen solution by altering the original formulation. Twenty-four canine corpses obtained according to the norms and resolutions described by the animal research ethics committee were used in this study. The cadavers were randomly allocated to two groups, G1 and G2, and treated with modified Larsen solution containing 20% and 10% formalin, respectively. The Larssen solution used in G1 contained a higher volume of distilled water and higher formalin concentration than the one used in G2. Cadavers were used in hands-on surgical training labs for four weeks. The following evaluation criteria were considered: General appearance, muscle tissue color, tissue texture/consistency, joint flexibility, odor development, and skin integrity in the abdominal and other regions involved in surgical training. The cadavers in both groups showed good general appearance and retained satisfactory organoleptic properties for surgical training throughout the experimental period. There was no significant difference between the groups treated with 20% or 10% modified Larssen solution (p > 0.05; chi-square test). The present findings were considered positive, because the dilution of the original formulation exhibited similar efficacy and required smaller amounts of chemicals, thus reducing the formulation cost.