An improved low-formaldehyde embalming fluid to preserve cadavers for anatomy teaching

Abstract

The desired properties required for successful embalming of cadavers for gross anatomy teaching include: (1) good long-term structural preservation of organs and tissues with minimal shrinkage or distortion; (2) prevention of over-hardening, while maintaining flexibility and suppleness of internal organs; (3) prevention of desiccation; (4) prevention of fungal or bacterial growth and spread within a specific cadaver and to other cadavers in the dissection room; (5) reduction of potential biohazards (spread of infection to dissection personnel and students); (6) reduction of environmental chemical hazards (especially from formaldehyde and phenol) in order to comply with increasingly severe health and safety regulations and a new awareness of possible dangers of these chemicals in the workplace; and (7) retention of colour of tissues and organs while minimising oxidation effects that result in ‘browning’.