Body Donation Research Articles

Annual distribution of body donation application rates in Istanbul, Türkiye

Objectives: Body donation is infrequent in Türkiye. Therefore, understanding body donation behavior becomes vital for managing existing awareness activities. Studies on donor profiles and motivations provide valuable data that could be used to shape the content of awareness activities. The timing of awareness activities is also important for increasing the effectiveness. Although annual differences in donation registrations have been reported, studies investigating the monthly changes within a calendar year are limited. This study aimed to investigate the official records of two departments of anatomy in Istanbul for outlining the monthly changes of body donation registrations. Methods: The official records of 450 body donors who registered between 2012 and 2019 to the body donation programs of two departments of anatomy were evaluated. Annual and monthly registration numbers were recorded and analyzed. Results: For the 2012-2019 period, 154 female (34.2%) and 296 male (65.8%) donors were registered to both programs. In general, the registrations were more frequent in May, November and December (χ2=51.28; p<0.001). Interestingly, female donors preferred to register in May, June, November, and December (χ2=40.961; p<0.001), while males preferred to register in March, April, May, September, and December (χ2=24.757; p=0.01). Conclusion: Currently, existing awareness activities in Türkiye are organized at the end of October which falls just before the Autumn peak of donor registrations. Therefore, planning awareness activities prior to the Spring peak might contribute to a more focused conduct of body donation awareness in Türkiye.

Transient receptor potential channel 3 in human liver and gallbladder – An investigation in body donors

Since the discovery of TRP proteins in 1969, during studies of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, interest around them and the subfamily of TRPC channels has remained high. TRPC3 was able to be detected in a number of organs in rodents, such as rats and mice, and also in various human tissues. For the most part, these investigations were carried out using gene expression of TRPC3. Further work has already confirmed the relevance of TRPC3 in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, such as spinocerebellar ataxia, and carcinogenic entities, such as ovarian carcinoma. An association with TRPC3 has also been demonstrated for diseases that affect the liver. In order to confirm the expression of TRPC3 in the human liver, this study uses samples taken from eight (n = 8) fixated human body donors and analyzed with immunohistochemistry. In accordance with the macroscopic anatomy of the organs, six samples (n = 6) of liver tissue and three (n = 3) of gallbladder tissue were obtained. TRPC3 was clearly detected in all liver and gallbladder samples examined. Thus, it is not unlikely that TRPC3 plays a role in the extensive metabolic processes of the liver and could also serve as a target for pharmacological interventions in an imbalance of calcium homeostasis.

Rotational alignment of the lower extremity in the presence of total knee endoprosthesis: Reproducibility of torsion analyses using ultra-low-dose photon-counting CT

PurposeLeg torsion analysis can provide valuable information in symptomatic patients after total knee arthroplasty. However, extensive beam-hardening and photon-starvation artifacts limit diagnostic assessability and dose reduction potential. For this study, we investigated the reproducibility of rotational measurements in ultra-low-dose photon-counting CT with spectral shaping via tin prefiltration. Material and methodsEmploying a first-generation photon-counting CT, eight cadaveric specimens were examined with an established three-level scan protocol (hip: Sn 140, knee: Sn 100, ankle: Sn 100 kVp). In three body donors with unilateral knee endoprostheses, additional modified settings were applied (Sn 140 kVp at knee level). Protocols were executed with three dose levels (hip–knee–ankle, high-quality: 5.0–3.0–2.0 mGy, low-dose: 0.80–0.30–0.26 mGy, ultra-low-dose: 0.25–0.06–0.06 mGy). Six radiologists performed torsion analyses, additionally reporting their diagnostic confidence. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess interrater reliability. ResultsNo significant differences were ascertained for femoral (p = 0.330), tibial (p = 0.177), and overall leg rotation measurements (p = 0.358) among high-quality, low-dose, and ultra-low-dose protocols. Interrater reliability was excellent for torsion of the femur (ICC 0.915, 95% confidence interval 0.871–0.947), tibia (0.960, 0.938–0.976), and overall leg (0.967, 0.945–0.981). In specimens with total knee endoprostheses, absolute rotational measurements were unaffected by dose level and tube voltage despite superior diagnostic confidence on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides with modified settings (p < 0.001). ConclusionsCombining the advantages of photon-counting CT and spectral shaping, reliable leg torsion analyses are feasible with ultra-low radiation exposure even in the presence of total knee endoprostheses.

The Course and Variation of the Facial Vein in the Face-Known and Unknown Facts: An Anatomical Study.

Background and Objectives: The facial vein is the main collector of venous blood from the face. It plays an important role in physiological as well as pathological context. However, to date, only limited data on the course and tributaries of the facial vein are present in contemporary literature. The aim of this study was to provide detail on the course and the tributaries of the facial vein. Materials and Methods: In 96 sides of 53 body donors, latex was injected into the facial vein. Dissection was carried out and the facial vein and its tributaries (angular vein, ophthalmic vein, nasal veins, labial veins, palpebral veins, buccal and masseteric veins) were assessed. Results: The facial vein presented a textbook-like course in all cases and crossed the margin of the mandible anterior to the masseter in 6.8% of cases, while being located deep to the zygomaticus major muscle in all cases and deep to the zygomaticus minor in 94.6% of cases. Conclusions: This work offers detailed information on the course of the facial vein in relation to neighboring structures, which shows a relatively consistent pattern, as well as on its tributaries, which show a high variability.

Survey on health students’ knowledge and perception on body donation for scientific research, education, and training after specific Italian law no. 10/2020

BackgroundPracticing on the human body was considered extremely relevant for health professionals’ education, but a drastic reduction was observed due to an increase in alternative virtual and multimedia means, and, in Italy, also due to a lack of regulation. Italian Law 10/2020 regulates body donation for research and training through an advanced directive for post-mortem body donation. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the law knowledge and body donation perception of health students of any degree courses enrolled at the University of Pavia, Italy, in 2021, through ad hoc web questionnaire. Results485 students participated to this survey; median age was of 21 years (25th-75th percentiles, 20–23), 73.2% were females, and 62.5% were medical students. Among them 14.9% knew the Italian law 10/2020. Age was the only variable associated with students’ knowledge of the law. Further, 8.3% reported the current availability of cadaveric practice, 85.6% of health students acknowledged usefulness of cadaveric practice, with a significant difference between medical and non-medical students (71.4% vs 28.6%, p < 0.001). Overall, 59.7% would donate their body, rising to 62.7% with reference to specific law regulation, with 30.5% and 28.7% undecided, respectively. 51.3% of participants answered not practicing religious faith, 82.9% with Catholic families, without significance on the knowledge of the law. ConclusionsPoor knowledge of the law compared with great interest and acknowledged cadaveric practice usefulness highlighted the need for better information, especially among health students, where critical discussion could be more valuable. Then, there arises the urgent need to fill the gaps within university studies and syllabuses, to relaunch the central role that cadaveric practice and research had in the education of health professionals. Consequences on basic and specific health students’ skills, on health education quality in general, and further on health professionals’ expertise must be carefully considered.

Attitudes of students who study in different departments against body donation

Objective: As technology continues to advance, alternative methods of cadaver education have emerged in anatomy lessons. However, cadaver dissection remains a fundamental component of medical education curricula worldwide. Material and Methods: This research was conducted among students enrolled in health sciences and other disciplines at İzmir Bakırçay University. A total of five hundred and eighty-four students took part in the study. The survey aimed to gather information on students' sociodemographic attributes and their perspectives regarding the potential donation of their and their family members' bodies for use as cadavers after their passing. Resuts: The analysis of the study's data revealed that students in both groups expressed a reluctance to donate their own bodies or those of their family members. Nonetheless, a majority of students emphasized the significance of cadaveric education, indicating that the willingness to donate cadavers could potentially rise with increased exposure to informative advertisements and comprehensive awareness campaigns. Conclusion: Despite the prevalent Islamic faith in Turkish society, survey findings indicate that religious beliefs do not significantly impede body donation. The study reveals that the primary deterrent to body donation in Turkey is the perceived lack of professionalism within the institutions accepting such donations. To enhance body donation rates in the country, a promising strategy involves launching comprehensive body donation campaigns through mass media, effectively showcasing the competence and professionalism of the parties involved in these initiatives.

The Anatomical Collection at the University of Jena: Reinventing an exhibition of human remains based on ethical considerations

Emphasizing scientific and cultural-historical aspects of human remains, we describe the historical background and present status of the Anatomical Collection at the University of Jena. In addition to safekeeping issues and exhibition practice, we provide typical examples of provenance research in the Collection and refer to relevant literature and recommendations. A reappraisal of the Anatomical Collection culminated in the implementation of a new exhibition concept that diverts attention away from dead bodies as mere anatomical objects and emphasizes ethical considerations, such as consented body donation. The visitor is encouraged to respect the deceased as human subjects who are individuals with their personal biography and entitled to human dignity also after death. A particular focus of our approach is on contexts of colonial injustice and racism, which require a high degree of ethical sensitivity. By providing practical hints on how to conduct provenance research, we want to encourage other anatomists to have a closer look at their historical collections. While some human remains can be restituted, others will probably stay in the collections for various reasons. Concepts for the appropriate handling of these remains have yet to be developed. In conclusion, we argue that, with a renewed understanding and sensitivity, the importance and value of the historical anatomical collections can be recognized once again.

Posteromedial capsular anatomy of the tibia for consideration of the medial meniscal support structure using a multidimensional analysis

Medial meniscal extrusion (MME) is a structural abnormality that leads to early knee osteoarthritis; however, its formation remains debated. For anatomical consideration of the mechanism underlying MME formation, we examined the capsular attachment on the posteromedial tibia and its layered association with the semimembranosus. Fourteen knees of eight body donors were analyzed in this study; six knees were grouped for macroscopic analysis, whereas four knees each were grouped for histological and phosphotungstic acid-enhanced micro-computed tomography analyses. The capsular attachment varied in width according to location and was not distant from the articular cartilage and posterior root. A portion of the posteromedial joint capsule formed the semimembranosus tendinous sheath. The dense fibrous membrane superficial to the semimembranosus, which was continuous from its tendinous sheath, existed as one of the layers of the joint capsule. The aforementioned findings were confirmed in all specimens. Based on the capsular attachment and its layered association with the semimembranosus, the conventional posteromedial knee ligaments may be only a part of the joint capsule divided into two layers by the semimembranosus. If the coordinated action of the joint capsule and semimembranosus partially contributes to the medial meniscus stability, such a structural problem may affect MME formation.

Estimating the time of human decomposition based on skeletal muscle biopsy samples utilizing an untargeted LC-MS/MS-based proteomics approach.

Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in forensic medico-legal investigations to understand case circumstances (e.g. narrowing down list of missing persons or include/exclude suspects). Due to the complex decomposition chemistry, estimation of PMI remains challenging and currently often relies on the subjective visual assessment of gross morphological/taphonomic changes of a body during decomposition or entomological data. The aim of the current study was to investigate the human decomposition process up to 3months after death and propose novel time-dependent biomarkers (peptide ratios) for the estimation of decomposition time. An untargeted liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based bottom-up proteomics workflow (ion mobility separated) was utilized to analyse skeletal muscle, collected repeatedly from nine body donors decomposing in an open eucalypt woodland environment in Australia. Additionally, general analytical considerations for large-scale proteomics studies for PMI determination are raised and discussed. Multiple peptide ratios (human origin) were successfully proposed (subgroups < 200 accumulated degree days (ADD), < 655 ADD and < 1535 ADD) as a first step towards generalised, objective biochemical estimation of decomposition time. Furthermore, peptide ratios for donor-specific intrinsic factors (sex and body mass) were found. Search of peptide data against a bacterial database did not yield any results most likely due to the low abundance of bacterial proteins within the collected human biopsy samples. For comprehensive time-dependent modelling, increased donor number would be necessary along with targeted confirmation of proposed peptides. Overall, the presented results provide valuable information that aid in the understanding and estimation of the human decomposition processes.

Measuring low formaldehyde exposure values in the dissection hall after embalming human body donors with ethanol-based fixation methods

The dissection course plays a central role in teaching anatomy and body donors are also needed in clinical-anatomical courses. In order to reduce formaldehyde exposure of students, participants and staff during these courses, we employed fixation solutions with low formaldehyde content. In this study, we present two ethanol-based protocols, and elucidate their suitability for the dissection process and compliance with occupational exposure limits for formaldehyde and other hazardous substances. Body donors were fixed according to an ethanol- based fixation protocol for the dissection course or an ethanol-glycerin-based fixation protocol for specialist training courses. The quality of fixation was determined during the dissection process. Exposure to hazardous substances (formaldehyde, ethanol, 2-phenoxyethanol) was measured in a regular dissection course setting at different locations (room-related and person-related measurements), and exposure indices were calculated. The quality of fixation of both methods was good and fulfilled all requirements of the student dissection course and the specialist training courses, respectively. Exposure to all hazardous substances remained well below the exposure limits. Room-related air concentration measurements were 0.073/0.058 mg/m³ (2016/2017) for formaldehyde and 65/107 mg/m³ (2016/2017) for ethanol. Person-related measurements amounted to 0.107-0.229 mg/m³ for formaldehyde and 268- 388 mg/m³ for ethanol. Room-related and person- related concentrations of 2-phenoxyethanol remained below the detection limit. The ethanol-based embalming protocols presented here offer a good alternative for the different applications. The protocols are discussed regarding current regulations and further measures to reduce formaldehyde exposure.

Novel Finding: Hyo-mandibular Ligament- A Cadaveric Study

Abstract Background: Many anatomical variations have been described in the deep neck; several of these are associated with the hyolarynx complex, consisting of the styloid process, hyoid bone, stylohyoid ligament, and thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages as well as their associated ligaments. Methodology: An anterolateral deep dissection of the neck was performed bilaterally in 37 donors. Results: A novel ligament was found to connect the lesser horns of the hyoid bone to the angle of the mandible bilaterally in seven body donors (a total of 14 sides). To the best of our knowledge, the presence or function of a ligament connecting the lesser horns of the hyoid bone to the mandible has never been previously described or reported. Due to its proximal and distal attachment sites, we have termed this finding a “hyomandibular ligament.” Conclusion: This unique finding is clinically relevant and may add insight into the structural and functional variations of the deep neck. Knowledge of this structure and similar anatomical variations may provide an explanation for idiopathic difficulties, chewing or swallowing as a by-product of limited hyoideal mobility.

The Scope of Virtual Dissection Modalities in Today’s Technological Era over the Conventional Anatomical Teaching

The branch of medicine is witnessing continuous makeover due to new knowledge or innovations in the field. The novel coronavirus pandemic also changed many of our mindsets. The traditional cadaveric dissection is also not an exception to this. The increasing shortage of cadavers for dissection, lack of public awareness of body donation program, etc., is important factors that generated the need of virtual dissection modalities. Many technologically advanced modalities are available worldwide. India is one of the largest Medical Education Hubs with hundreds of medical institutes across the country. Many multi-national companies and newly launched start-ups from India are focusing their attention toward virtual dissection modalities. These have revolutionaries the concept of teaching and learning through traditional cadaveric dissection. In this article, we presented some of the virtual dissection modalities and their pros/cons over the traditional teaching.

The body donation program in research and education at the UANL medical school

The body donation program in research and education at the UANL medical school

Advantages of ultrasound identification of the distal insertion of the calcaneofibular ligament during ligament reconstructions.

In lateral ankle instability, anatomical ligament reconstructions are generally performed using arthroscopy. The ligament graft is passed through the talar, fibular and calcaneal tunnels, reconstructing the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular (CFL) bundles. However, the calcaneal insertion of the CFL needs to be performed in an extra-articular fashion, and cannot be carried out under arthroscopy, thus requiring specific anatomical landmarks. For obtaining these landmarks, methods based on radiography or surface anatomy have already been described but can only offer an approximate identification of the actual CFL anatomical insertion point. In contrast, an ultrasound technique allows direct visualization of the insertion point and of the sural nerve that may be injured during surgery. Our study aimed to assess the reliability and accuracy of ultrasound visualization when performing calcaneal insertion of the CFL with specific monitoring of the sural nerve. Our anatomical study was carried out on 15 ankles available from a body donation program. Ultrasound identification of the sural nerve was obtained first with injection of dye. A needle was positioned at the level of the calcaneal insertion of the CFL. After dissection, in all the ankles, the dye was in contact with the sural nerve and the needle was located in the calcaneal insertion area of the CFL. The mean distance between the sural nerve and the needle was 4.8mm (range 3-7mm). A pre- or intra-operative ultrasound technique is a simple and reliable means for obtaining anatomical landmarks when drilling the calcaneal tunnel for ligament reconstruction of the lateral plane of the ankle. This tunnel should preferably be drilled obliquely from the heel towards the subtalar joint (1h-3h direction on an ultrasound cross section), which preserves a maximum distance from the sural nerve for safety purposes, while allowing an accurate anatomical positioning of the osseous tunnel.

The Attitude of Medical Students Toward Voluntary Body Donation: A Single Institute Survey and Narrative Review of Global Trends.

Voluntary body donation (VBD) programs form the backbone of cadaveric teaching and learning in medical schools. It benefits the medical fraternity the most. Yet, there is a dearth of VBD practice among medical students. We aimed to understand the knowledge and attitude of first-year medical students in a tertiary institute with a systematic review of willingness towardVBD among undergraduate students worldwide. The first-year medical undergraduates were given a 12-item questionnaire to assess their knowledge and attitude toward VBD. Statistical tests were applied to analyze the difference between the variables. We systematically searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases until October 15, 2022. Data concerning knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward VBD among undergraduates of medical backgrounds were extracted and analyzed qualitatively. A total of 82.5% of students returned the completed responses. A significant association was seen between their attitudes towardwhole body donation by strangers (p=0.043) and family members (p=0.035). The religion of the participants significantly affected their opinions on VBD and their willingness to pledge themselves (p=0.034). For thereview, 20 studies were selected to be analyzed qualitatively.These studies included 4232 undergraduate students globally who were assessed for knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward VBD. Around 50% of the studies were published in India. The first study included was published in 2008. Seven studies were exclusively conducted on medical undergraduates, while the rest consisted of a mixed cohort. The attitude and knowledge of medical undergraduates on VBD were assessed via questionnaires containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions. Based on observations from our survey andreview, we concluded that while undergraduate students have ahighly positive attitude towardVBD, their rate of pledging is low. The most prominent barrier to this attitude is their experience with cadavers in the dissection hall. Hence, we recommend a revisit of cadaver handling practices and the establishment of appropriate protocols for safe and deferential cadaver handling.

The relationship between body donation and attitudes toward death and altruism in Changsha City in China.

In recent years, China has been facing a shortage of cadavers for teaching medical students. A better comprehension of the attitudes and factors influencing the general public's opinion toward body donation would be invaluable for planning and implementing body donation programs. Although altruistic attitude and attitudes toward death have received considerable attention in recent years globally, they have been largely understudied in China. Herein, the potential relationship between attitudes toward altruism and death, and willingness toward whole-body donation in a sample of university students in Changsha City in China were analyzed. A multi-stage sampling method was adopted to recruit 478 Chinese college students from two universities: the Medical College of Hunan Normal University (n = 272) and the College of Civil engineering of Hunan University (n = 206). The study participants were assessed by a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R-C) questionnaire, and the altruism scale. Moreover, Chinese University students demonstrated moderate willingness to donate their bodies. The mean score of the willingness of study participants to donate their bodies was 3.138 ± 0.933 (5-point Likert scale). Acceptance toward death, gender, and type of university were positive factors, whereas fear of death negatively affected willingness toward body donation. Regression analysis showed that factors, including gender (β = 0.237), type of university (β = 0.193), natural acceptance (β = 0.177), and fear of death (β = -0.160) influenced willingness toward body donation. Overall, the present study provides hitherto undocumented evidence on factors influencing willingness toward body donation among Chinese university students, which can assist in designing public awareness programs for encouraging body donation.

Current ethical considerations of cadaver surgical training for Japanese plastic and reconstructive surgeons

The guidelines for cadaver surgical training (CST) were published in 2012 by the Japan Surgical Society and Japanese Association of Anatomists. 1 Shichinohe T. Kondo T. Date H. Hiramatsu M. et al. Guidelines for cadaver Guidelines for cadaver dissection in education and research of clinical medicine (The Japan Surgical Society and The Japanese Association of Anatomists). Surg Today. 2022 Jul; 52: 989-994 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar Ethical codes should be considered for donors and their families; however, the spread of CST programs and the development of social networking services are bringing about severe threats to the uncontrolled publication of photographs and videos. 2 De Caro R. Boscolo-Berto R. Artico M. et al. The Italian law on body donation: A position paper of the Italian College of Anatomists. Ann Anat. 2021 Nov; 238151761 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar We therefore conducted a questionnaire survey to identify the current ethical considerations and problems encountered by university plastic and reconstructive surgery departments performing CST.

Intralabial Lip Compartments and Their Potential Clinical Relevance.

Aesthetic soft-tissue filler injections for lip enhancement are popular and performed throughout the world. When injecting lips with a cannula, as the cannula is advanced, resistance is perceived in consistent locations, potentially indicating boundaries between intralabial compartments. We aimed to investigate whether intralabial compartments exist and, if so, to describe their volumes, location, boundaries, and dimensions. This cadaveric study investigated a total of 20 human body donors (13 male, seven female) with a mean (SD) age at death of 61.9 years (23.9) and body mass index of 24.3 kg/m 2 (3.7). The investigated cohort included 11 White donors, eight Asian donors, and one Black donor. Dye injections simulating minimally invasive lip treatments were conducted. Independent of sex or race, six anterior and six posterior compartments in the upper and lower lip were identified, for a total of 24 lip compartments. Compartment boundaries were formed by vertically oriented septations that were found in consistent locations. The anterior compartments had volumes ranging from 0.30 to 0.39 cc; the posterior compartment volume ranged from 0.44 to 0.52 cc. The compartment volumes were larger centrally and decreased gradually toward the oral commissure. The volume and size of each of 24 compartments contribute to the overall appearance and shape of the lips. To achieve a natural lip shape preserving aesthetic outcome it may be preferable to administer the volumizing product using a compartment-respecting injection approach.

The Brachiocephalic Trunk Variant Origin and High-Riding Course: Two Cadaveric Cases.

The current report describes two rare cadaveric findings of a left sided brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) in relation to the trachea, and its high-riding course above the suprasternal notch (SN). In two elderly body donors dissected after death, a left-sided BCT was identified with a high-riding course (0.5 and 0.8 cm above the SN). The BCT originated from the aortic arch, in common with the left common carotid artery, more distally than the typical left-side location and crossed in front of the trachea. In the 1st case, the ascending and descending aortae, and the left subclavian artery had aneurysmal dilatation. In both cases, the trachea was displaced to the right side and had a stenosis due to the chronic compression. A high-riding BCT is of paramount clinical importance, as it may complicate tracheotomy, thyroid surgery and mediastinoscopy, leading to fatal complications. BCT injury leads to a massive bleeding during neck dissection (level VI), when the vessel crosses the anterior tracheal wall.

Higher Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Resolution Improves Accuracy of Patient-specific Mandibular Models When Compared to Cadaveric Gold Standard

3D-printed patient-specific anatomical models are becoming an increasingly popular tool for planning reconstructive surgeries to treat oral cancer. Currently there is a lack of information regarding model accuracy, and how the resolution of the computed tomography (CT) scan affects the accuracy of the final model. The primary objective of this study was to determine the CT z-axis resolution necessary in creating a patient specific mandibular model with clinically acceptable accuracy for global bony reconstruction. This study also sought to evaluate the effect of the digital sculpting and 3D printing process on model accuracy. This was a cross-sectional study using cadaveric heads obtained from the Ohio State University Body Donation Program. The first independent variable is CT scan slice thickness of either 0.675, 1.25, 3.00, or 5.00mm. The second independent variable is the three produced models for analysis (unsculpted, digitally sculpted, 3D printed). The degree of accuracy of a model as defined by the root mean square (RMS) value, a measure of a model's discrepancy from its respective cadaveric anatomy. All models were digitally compared to their cadaveric bony anatomy using a metrology surface scan of the dissected mandible. The RMS value of each comparison evaluates the level of discrepancy. One-way ANOVA tests (P<.05) were used to determine statistically significant differences between CT scan resolutions. Two-way ANOVA tests (P<.05) were used to determine statistically significant differences between groups. CT scans acquired for 8 formalin-fixed cadaver heads were processed and analyzed. The RMS for digitally sculpted models decreased as slice thickness decreased, confirming that higher resolution CT scans resulted in statistically more accurate model production when compared to the cadaveric gold standard. Furthermore, digitally sculpted models were significantly more accurate than unsculpted models (P<.05) at each slice thickness. Our study demonstrated that CT scans with slice thicknesses of 3.00mm or smaller created statistically significantly more accurate models than models created from slice thicknesses of 5.00mm. The digital sculpting process statistically significantly increased the accuracy of models and no loss of accuracy through the 3D printing process was observed.