Use Of Human Cadavers Research Articles

Perspectives on animal experimentation in herbal medicine research: ethical dilemmas and scientific progress

Animal experimentation has long been an integral part of biomedical and cosmetics research, with historical roots dating back to ancient Greece. During that period, physicians constrained by cultural taboos that forbade the use of human cadavers, turned to the dissection of animals for their anatomical studies. The use of specific animal models in research has often been justified by the remarkable biological similarities between animals and humans. However, there are instances where animal models, such as fish and frogs, are used, despite significant disparities in their anatomy and physiology compared to humans. In herbal medicine research, animal experimentation has found various applications. Numerous plant species from diverse global regions, including the United Kingdom, United States, China, India, and Africa, have been studied to identify their pharmacological properties and therapeutic indications. Nevertheless, the use of animals in these studies, while offering undeniable advantages, remains a subject of intense debate and contention, mainly arising from the ethical challenges it presents, as well as the substantial financial burden it imposes, and its inability to reliably predict human responses. This paper, therefore, proposes a comprehensive list of research methodologies that are ethical, practical, cost-effective, and consistent with the real ethos of herbal medicine. These alternative methods, which include in vitro studies, human cell cultures, computational modelling, culturally sensitive clinical trials, and ethnobotanical surveys, have the potential to provide cost-effective healthcare solutions, without subjecting animals to unnecessary suffering.

Conditioned Canine Cadavers for Near-Natural Interprofessional Veterinary and Human Surgery Training.

Both medical and veterinary students find that the use of cadavers is critical to learning anatomical structures and surgical techniques. The use of human cadavers and the resulting user emotions are driven by serious ethical issues that are currently much less pronounced in veterinary education. Ethically sourced canine cadavers, thus, are more readily available. Aesthetics such as odor and visual appearance, though, influence both learner and educator motivation.We have investigated a way of delaying cadaver decomposition by post-mortem in situ, chemical-free, gastrointestinal lavage.We are convinced that canine cadavers, conditioned as described here, will improve the outcome of cadaver-based surgical skills training by facilitating preparation, reducing the number of required cadavers, postponing decomposition, improving the surgeon's haptic-tactile response to organ and tissue handling and suturing, and, possibly most importantly, increasing learners' and educators' focus due to the significantly improved aesthetics. We hypothesize that skill transfer for medical students and doctors, because of the similar abdominal anatomy, may be easier when training with conditioned canine cadavers as compared to artificial simulators or pigs in vivo.

THE USE OF CADAVERS IN HUMAN ANATOMY CLASSES. TRADITIONAL METHOD, OUTDATED OR INDISPENSABLE?

Introduction: It is known that practical classes with a corpse awaken different feelings among students and it is common to observe behaviors of fear, disgust at the touch, anxiety, euphoria and/or deep respect. Records of corpse manipulations predate the sec. III a. Even so old, the dissected human body is still the most extraordinary, most complete and most complex resource among the tools currently used in teaching anatomy. Despite this, the use of cadavers in practical classes has been gradually replaced by other resources such as artificial models, even in medical graduation courses, raising discussions and calling into question the quality of training for new professionals. Objective: to analyze differences in the perception and quality of use of human anatomy content by students with and without the use of human cadavers in medical curricula. Methods: This study is a descriptive research, of the Integrative Literature Review (RIL) type. The search resulted in 21 articles, of which 10 articles form the corpus of this review. Results and Conclusion: Like a tree that bears sweet fruit, human dissection is always being stoned even by those who delight in its knowledge and secrets. Its importance surpassed fear, taboos, superstitions, dogmas, laws and time. It is indeed the basis of anatomical knowledge, resisting all adversities over time and remaining as the foundation of the training of health professionals from the most different segments.

Thiel embalming method used for anatomy dissection as an educational tool in teaching human anatomy, in research, and in training in comparison of different methods for long term preservation.

The use of human cadavers is beneficial in teaching gross human anatomy, training, and development in medicine. Fresh-frozen cadavers initially exhibit natural colour, tenderness, and flexibility. They also present innumerable difficulties, including the requirement of freezers for storage and a few weeks' work time because of fast decay. The risk of infection is also significant. A possible choice for fresh-frozen cadavers is embalmed cadavers. The requested characteristic needed for successful embalming is acceptable long-term structural preservation of organs and tissues with minimal deformity and prevention of outward aspects. Scientists are trying to develop an ideal embalming solution to preserve the human body. Such a solution renders the flexibility of internal organs, preventing dryness, and reducing fungal or bacterial growth. Cadavers should be in a condition comparable to that of an unembalmed cadaver, and the chemicals used in the solution should not be harmful to persons during manipulation. The promising results have been obtained by the use of different embalming techniques by many faculties of medicine as a tool to enhance the teaching of anatomy to students.

Innovative Use of Cadavers in Perioperative Nursing Orientation.

The Periop 101 program administrator at a US Navy medical center worked with personnel in the facility's simulation and bioskills laboratories to develop an innovative perioperative nurse orientation curriculum that included the use of human cadavers during simulation activities. Participants were able to practice common perioperative nursing skills (eg, surgical skin antisepsis) on human cadavers rather than simulation manikins. The orientation program comprises two three-month phases. Participants were evaluated twice during phase 1: at the six-week mark and again six weeks later at the end of the phase. Using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric, the administrator scored participants on their clinical judgment skills; results showed that mean scores increased for all learners between the two evaluation sessions. Practicing skills in a safe environment allows new staff members to learn without fear of causing accidental patient harm, and the additional use of cadavers further increased simulation fidelity and learner satisfaction.

Applicability and usefulness of the Declaration of Helsinki for forensic research with human cadavers and remains

Bodies of deceased persons and human remains and their specimens (i.e., organs, bones, tissues, or biological samples) are essential in forensic research but ad hoc worldwide-recognized ethical standards for their use are still lacking. Such standards are needed both to avoid possible unethical practices and to sustain research in the forensic field. Pending consensus within the forensic science community regarding this topic, with this article we aim to stimulate a debate as to the applicability and usefulness of the Declaration of Helsinki in the field of forensic research involving human cadavers and remains. Considering the fundamental differences compared to clinical research involving human beings and the different moral obligations involved, we focus on the risks, burdens, and benefits of research, ethics committee approval, and informed consent requirements. The Declaration of Helsinki framework allows forensic researchers to focus on substantial ethical principles promoting the consistency, integrity, and quality of research. Consensus regarding ethical standards and the adoption of national and supranational laws that clearly regulate the use of human cadavers and remains, including those from autopsies, continues to be of primary importance for the forensic science community.

A preliminary investigation to determine the suitability of pigs as human analogues for post-mortem lipid analysis

The determination of time since death is a major challenge to law enforcement when faced with the discovery of human remains. This is due to the fact that decomposition is a complex, dynamic process influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors. For decades, post-mortem decomposition studies have used pigs as human analogues due to ethical and legal restrictions surrounding the use of human cadavers for such research. However, few comparative studies have been conducted to assess the suitability of these analogues. Recent forensic studies have successfully demonstrated the use of post-mortem lipids in textiles as a method to obtain vital information about decomposition process. The current investigation involved two studies: Trial 1 (summer) and Trial 2 (winter). Each trial with n = 1 human cadaver and n = 2 pigs. Samples were collected over a timeline of 105 days post-placement and analyzed using attenuated total reflectance (ATR-) Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The data was then statistically assessed using functional principal component analysis, semi-parametric regression modeling and analysis of variance. The results demonstrated a clear statistically significant interspecies difference between pigs and humans in both trials. The preliminary implications of this study suggest that pigs are not suitable analogues for humans in decomposition research and have broader implications that caution the direct translation of decomposition data obtained from pigs to real human casework, particularly with respect to time since death estimations.

Improving Emergency Cricothyroidotomies: Simulation-Based Training for Critical Care Providers.

This article discusses skill proficiency of providers related to emergency cricothyroidotomies. Various techniques to improve procedural skills were studied. Accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane via palpation remained consistently inadequate. High-fidelity simulation including the use of human cadavers may be the preferred method of skill training for crisis management. The authors emphasize that additional research is needed regarding a method for rapid cricothyroid membrane identification as well as needle cricothyroidotomy versus surgical airway on cadavers. More consistent training will enable emergency care providers to perform this rare but lifesaving skill.

Spinal Motion Segments — I: Concept for a Subject-specific Analogue Model

Most commercial spine analogues are not intended for biomechanical testing, and those developed for this purpose are expensive and yet still fail to replicate the mechanical performance of biological specimens. Patient-specific analogues that address these limitations and avoid the ethical restrictions surrounding the use of human cadavers are therefore required. We present a method for the production and characterisation of biofidelic, patient-specific, Spine Motion Segment (SMS = 2 vertebrae and the disk in between) analogues that allow for the biological variability encountered when dealing with real patients. Porcine spine segments (L1–L4) were scanned by computed tomography, and 3D models were printed in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Four biological specimens and four ABS motion segments were tested, three of which were further segmented into two Vertebral Bodies (VBs) with their intervertebral disc (IVD). All segments were loaded axially at 0.6 mm·min−1 (strain-rate range 6×10−4 s−1–10×10−4 s−1). The artificial VBs behaved like biological segments within the elastic region, but the best two-part artificial IVD were ∼15% less stiff than the biological IVDs. High-speed images recorded during compressive loading allowed full-field strains to be produced. During compression of the spine motion segments, IVDs experienced higher strains than VBs as expected. Our method allows the rapid, inexpensive and reliable production of patient-specific 3D-printed analogues, which morphologically resemble the real ones, and whose mechanical behaviour is comparable to real biological spine motion segments and this is their biggest asset.

Effects of Lumbosacral Arthrodesis on the Biomechanics of the Sacroiliac Joint.

Background:It is unclear whether the sacroiliac joint is vulnerable to adjacent segment disease. Clinical studies have suggested that many patients who have undergone lumbar arthrodesis will develop adjacent segment disease, which may contribute to sacroiliac joint degeneration. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether arthrodesis in the lumbar spine results in altered biomechanics at the sacroiliac joint that could contribute to adjacent segment disease within the joint.Methods:With use of human cadavers in a biomechanical laboratory study, the effects of lower-lumbar arthrodesis and sacroiliac screws on the biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint were assessed. Human cadaveric pelves with lumbar spines were biomechanically tested in flexion-extension, rotation about the vertical axis, and compression along the vertical axis with single and double-leg support. Four conditions were compared: (1) intact, (2) L4-L5 arthrodesis, (3) L4-S1 arthrodesis, and (4) left sacroiliac screw. Construct vertical and horizontal motions at the anterior and posterior surfaces of the sacroiliac joint were measured.Results:Significant measurable increases in motion of the sacroiliac joint related to arthrodesis of the lumbar spine occurred with flexion-extension loading (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed for rotation about the vertical axis or compression along the vertical axis with single and double-leg support.Conclusions:After 360°, 1 or 2-level lumbosacral spine arthrodesis, the sacroiliac joint showed a significant increase in rotational motion with flexion-extension loading. Increases in horizontal translation with axial rotation loading and vertical translation with axial compression loading were not significant.Clinical Relevance:The risk of significant alteration of normal sacroiliac kinematics should be considered in all patients undergoing 360° lumbosacral arthrodesis.

A Quantitative Analysis of Four Undergraduate Human Anatomy Laboratory Curricula: Approaches, Identified Structures, Concepts, and Thematic Emphases.

Human anatomy is a foundational coursethatserves diverse pre-professional health care majors. However, limited information is available on the teaching approaches, content, and thematic emphases of this course at the undergraduate level when compared with that of medical and other graduate schools. Herein, we document and quantitatively evaluate the laboratory curriculum of four undergraduate human anatomy courses in the USA. For each course, we assess the total number of structures (terms requiring identification during an exam), concepts (terms requiring an explanation), and clinical applications. To facilitate further assessments, we also compare the content distribution of each course with that recommended by the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA). Two courses followed a regional approach emphasizing the use of human cadavers, while the other two followed a system-based approach and used plastic models and non-human cadaveric materials (e.g., cats and sheep). The total amount of information presented to students differed significantly among curricula. The majority of terms (65-88%) taught to students referred to the identification of anatomical structures whereas clinical applications were rare (< 1.3%). Courses using a regional approach expected students to learn as much as twice the number of terms than those following a system-based approach. Functions, innervations, origins, and insertions of muscles are only included in the curriculum of the courses following a regional approach. The proportion of terms devoted to each anatomical module in all curricula was significantly different from each other, as well as from that of AACA recommendation. We discuss these differences in the curriculum, the challenges and limitations inherent with each teaching approach, as well as in the teaching materials used among the curricula. These quantitative analyses aim to provide insightful information about the structure of the undergraduate human anatomy laboratory curriculum and may prove useful when redesigning a course.

Graduate and Undergraduate Faculty Collaboration Utilizing Peer Observation to Enhance Educational Opportunities for Students and Faculty: A Case Example

While evidence supports the use of cadavers to facilitate the teaching and learning of human anatomy, cadaver-based teaching may not be present at the undergraduate level at many institutions due to limited laboratory access, financial constraints, and the lack of qualified faculty trained to teach in this type of setting. The following case example outlines a unique program designed to provide cadaver-based instruction to undergraduate students, while simultaneously training undergraduate faculty to teach in this setting through peer observational methods. More specifically, the following teaching collaboration was designed with the intent to achieve the following: 1) expose undergraduate anatomy students to cadaver-based learning; 2) provide education and training to undergraduate faculty so they are better qualified to teach human anatomy in the context of a cadaver laboratory; 3) provide graduate physical therapy students additional opportunities to dissect and reinforce their anatomy knowledge; and 4) demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Eighty-one undergraduate students were exposed to the cadaver laboratory for four educational sessions throughout the semester. Course evaluations revealed that 93% of the undergraduate students reported that their experiences in the cadaver laboratory served to enhance their learning, and 97% reported that the use of human cadavers should be continued in future courses. This interdisciplinary model allowed anatomy instruction to be expanded to previously unserved student groups as well as provided a mechanism for professional development of undergraduate anatomy faculty. This model may serve as a template to promote new program development to enhance faculty and student learning, while simultaneously encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration across the university.Keywords: interdisciplinary, peer observation, pedagogy, anatomy, cadaver

It is Useful to Use Plastic Anatomical Models in Teaching Human Anatomy ?

The classical method of teaching human anatomy to students is based on the dissection of human cadavers. Nowadays, there are many ethical controversy regarding the use of human cadavers during anatomy courses. In our study we tried to get undergraduate students� opinion about some different techniques of teaching human anatomy, including the utility of plastic models. We introduced in this study 163 students in the first year of their study at the Faculty of General Medicine from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tirgu Mures. The respondents were asked to fill in a 12-item anonymous questionnaire. Based on the answers provided in the questionnaires we divided the 163 respondents into 2 groups: group A comprising 113 (69.32%) respondents who found that the best method of teaching anatomy is cadaver dissection and group B comprising 50 (30.67%) respondents who found that the best method of teaching is not cadaver dissection. Thus, 20 (12.26%) respondents considered that the best method of teaching anatomy is the use of previously dissected and preserved preparations, 4 (2.45%) indicated the use of plastic models as the best method, 24 (14.72%) would prefer 3D techniques of image reconstruction and 2 (1.22%) respondents found that the best method of teaching anatomy is by Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentations. Even though there are still controversial opinions regarding the use of cadaver dissection in teaching and learning human anatomy, especially ethical and psychological ones, cadaver dissection remains the best method of teaching anatomy to undergraduate students in medical schools.

&lt;b&gt;Use of human cadavers in teaching of human anatomy in brazilian medical faculties

The Human Anatomy is the study of human body structure and it has been related to the use of cadavers through the history. The aim of this research was to investigate the use of human cadavers in practical classes of human anatomy in Brazilian medical schools, and it was also made the identification of alternative methodologies and new technologies applied to the teaching of Anatomy. The research was conducted at the Faculdade Integral Diferencial from January to December of 2015. The population studied was composed by professors responsible for the Human Anatomy sector of the Brazilian medical faculties. It was addressed all the 242 medical colleges of the Brazil. It was obtained 81 answers. 96% of respondents reported make use of human corpses in its practical lessons of anatomy. It can be observed that 42% of the surveyed medical schools make use of only formaldehyde. 81% of faculties reported to face some difficulties to acquire human cadavers. 84% of medical schools make use of artificial models. 46% of faculties make use of diagnostic images. It can be concluded that human bodies, artificial models and new technologies are widely used in practical classes of anatomy in Brazil, since there is a difficulty to obtain cadavers.

ENDOSCOPIC INTERLAMINAR DISCECTOMY. USE OF SWINE CADAVERS AS A TRAINING MODEL

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the possibility of using cadavers of pigs for training in endoscopic interlaminar discectomy. Methods: Five young pigs were used. The necessary instruments and equipment were used, and the endoscopic transforaminal and interlaminar percutaneous approach was performed at the L7-S1 level. A specialist surgeon performed the procedure. The points of entry, needle angulation, and subjective technical difficulties indicated by the surgeon were analyzed. Results: The mean weight of pigs was 42.2 kg. The posterolateral (transforaminal) entry point was, on average, 6.28 cm from the midline at an angulation of 32.8°. The posterior (interlaminar) entry point was on average 1.82 cm. Full-endoscopic interlaminar discectomy was possible in all animals of the sample. The structures described in the literature were visible endoscopically in 100% of the models. Conclusions: The demonstrated benefits and increased indications of endoscopic lumbar surgery created the need to establish safer and more efficient training processes. The authors raise the possibility of using experimental models to develop technical skills in endoscopy via interlaminar approach. The use of teaching tools such as animal models constitutes a new learning technique and give more confidence to surgeons. The use of cadavers of pigs, obtained according to ethics, avoids the use of human cadavers, and minimizes the development of the learning curve on patients.

Métodos de conservação de cadáveres humanos utilizados nas faculdades de medicina do Brasil

Introdução: Anatomia é a ciência das estruturas corporais e das relações entre essas estruturas. Uma das metodologias mais antigas para o estudo da Anatomia é a utilização de cadáveres humanos. Diante da dificuldade de aquisição de novos cadáveres nos dias atuais, a conservação dos cadáveres existentes se reveste em um ponto crucial no ensino da Anatomia Humana. Objetivo: Analisar os métodos de conservação de cadáveres humanos mais utilizados nas escolas de Medicina do Brasil. Forma de estudo: Descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. Métodos: A coleta de dados foi realizada através do envio de um questionário online para o endereço eletrônico dos professores responsáveis pela disciplina de Anatomia Humana das 242 faculdades de Medicina do Brasil. Desse universo, foram obtidas 81 respostas. Os dados obtidos foram armazenados e analisados através dos programas GoogleForms® e Microsoft Excel®. Resultado: Os dados obtidos evidenciaram que 96% das Faculdades de Medicina do Brasil utilizam cadáveres humanos nas aulas práticas de Anatomia, das quais 83,3% fazem uso de formolização e 56,4% glicerinação. Constatou-se que a formolização predomina em todas as regiões do país, exceto na região Centro-Oeste. 60,7% das faculdades que utilizam a formolização pretendem mudar o método de conservação, especialmente em virtude da insalubridade do formol. Conclusão: Através dos resultados obtidos na presente pesquisa, conclui-se que a utilização de cadáveres humanos no ensino de Anatomia é adotada pela grande maioria das faculdades brasileiras de Medicina. O método mais utilizado na conservação das peças cadavéricas ainda é a formolização, seguido da glicerinização.

The use of real time ultrasound scanning as a teaching method of anatomy in an undergraduate sonography and medical imaging degree in an Australian university

BackgroundReal-time ultrasound scanning is increasing in popularity as a teaching tool for human anatomy because it is non-invasive, offers real-time 3-D anatomy and is cheaper than dissections. AimTo assess real-time ultrasound scanning as a teaching method of human anatomy, and to determine what teaching methods medical imaging and sonography students consider effective for understanding human anatomy. MethodSurveys were distributed to two consecutive cohorts of first year medical imaging and medical sonography students at CQUniversity. Participation was voluntary. Comparisons among teaching methods were made using repeated measures ANOVA. ResultsReal-time ultrasound scanning was the most preferred method of delivery for anatomy classes overall especially compared to computer programs, videos, 3-D radiological images and dissection. Specifically, students indicated that ultrasound scanning was the preferred method to encourage learning from experience (F7,231 = 2.942, p = 0.006), to develop team skills (F7,231 = 4.550, p < 0.006), to follow complex instructions (F7,231 = 4.656 p < 0.001) and to appreciate anatomical variation (F7,231 = 2.067, p = 0.048). Dissection was the least favoured teaching method. ConclusionReal-time ultrasound scanning is a useful tool for teaching anatomy, and animal dissections are a poor substitute for the use of human cadavers.

Consent and consensus-ethical perspectives on obtaining bodies for anatomical dissection.

Biomedical research and education benefit from the use of human cadavers. These are usually acquired from donors who have willed their body to science during their lifetime. This concept of donation through "informed consent" respects the personal autonomy of the donor and the dignity of the dead body (extended from the dignity of the living person). The concept of informed consent is taken from research on living human subjects regulated in the Helsinki Declaration. This transfer to the domain of anatomical donation, however, has several problems. For example, the dead cannot speak for themselves and the ethical status of the human cadaver remains ambiguous. It is therefore suggested that an element of consensus is added to the concept of consent, a consensus between donors, relatives, anatomists, and the wider community. A consensus can give difficult decisions surrounding body donation and dissection a broader basis and can help bridge the gap between donors and families on the one side and anatomists, researchers and students on the other side. This approach can help to establish relationships of trust with local communities, on which body donation programs depend.

History and future of human cadaver preservation for surgical training: from formalin to saturated salt solution method.

Traditionally, surgical training meant on-the-job training with live patients in an operating room. However, due to advancing surgical techniques, such as minimally invasive surgery, and increasing safety demands during procedures, human cadavers have been used for surgical training. When considering the use of human cadavers for surgical training, one of the most important factors is their preservation. In this review, we summarize four preservation methods: fresh-frozen cadaver, formalin, Thiel's, and saturated salt solution methods. Fresh-frozen cadaver is currently the model that is closest to reality, but it also presents myriad problems, including the requirement of freezers for storage, limited work time because of rapid putrefaction, and risk of infection. Formalin is still used ubiquitously due to its low cost and wide availability, but it is not ideal because formaldehyde has an adverse health effect and formalin-embalmed cadavers do not exhibit many of the qualities of living organs. Thiel's method results in soft and flexible cadavers with almost natural colors, and Thiel-embalmed cadavers have been appraised widely in various medical disciplines. However, Thiel's method is relatively expensive and technically complicated. In addition, Thiel-embalmed cadavers have a limited dissection time. The saturated salt solution method is simple, carries a low risk of infection, and is relatively low cost. Although more research is needed, this method seems to be sufficiently useful for surgical training and has noteworthy features that expand the capability of clinical training. The saturated salt solution method will contribute to a wider use of cadavers for surgical training.

Cadaver Dissection in Anatomy: The Ethical Aspect

Cadaveric dissection is an integral part of medical education and the basis of anatomy for first M.B.B.S. students. The dead human body has failed to elicit much theological interest, and until recently, little ethical interest. Dissection of cadavers is a time honored part of medical education. Undergraduate and postgraduate students do dissection as a part of learning human anatomy. Cadavers are obtained from the forensic mortuary declared as ‘unclaimed body’ or through donated bodies that includes voluntary donation during life or their after by the relatives. However, use of human tissue for research and the use of human cadavers for teaching and training purposes are surrounded by ethical issues. In this paper we will be discussing the ethical issues in relation to the use of cadaver i.e. respect for human body even after life.