Abstract
Safety is a major issue in the embalming procedures of human cadavers. Reduced application of formaldehyde is often recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate the potency of ultraviolet light (UV-C irradiation) on the bacterial load on the surface of a conserved human cadaver. To test UV-C irradiation, the cadaver was laid out in the dissection hall and, after preparation of the muscles, was covered with linen sheets moistened with water. Swabs of the surface and microbiological analysis revealed sporadic bacterial colonies. The surface area was then spiked with bacteria and irradiated by a UV lamp for 15 or 60 min. Half of the area was covered by aluminum foil to serve as a control. After exposition, swabs were taken and analyzed. The exposition had reduced the number of colonies to one third (15 min exposition) and to one tenth (60 min exposition) of the control area. Thus, UV-C irradiation could be used in the preservation of cadavers without chemical pollution of the environment and without any risk for the employees. Clin. Anat. 32:113-116, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highlights
In the past, environmental and safety issues have been a major topic in the discussion of embalming procedures applied to human cadavers (Mercer, 1992)
All cadavers in anatomy are primary contaminated with bacteria and fungi
The growth of bacteria and fungi is prevented by using linen sheets that have been moistened with solutions containing bactericidal substances such as phenoxy-ethanol
Summary
Environmental and safety issues have been a major topic in the discussion of embalming procedures applied to human cadavers (Mercer, 1992). This year a paper by Waschke et al (2019) was presented by the Society of Anatomists (Anatomische Gesellschaft) as a consensus publication. Waschke et al.’s (2019) publication contained recommendations for a reduction in the amount of formaldehyde used by anatomical institutes in the embalming of human cadavers, especially in solutions for body perfusion and immersion tanks. The recommendation was to reduce the concentration of formaldehyde to 2% or less. For the preservation of the cadavers in the dissection hall, 2% phenoxy-ethanol was recommended. This study tests an effective, nontoxic and inexpensive option, which reduces the concentration of fixatives and controls bacterial contamination of cadavers
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