A Pilot Comparative Study of Submerge vs. Non- Submerg Saturated Salt Solution Human Cadavers Embalming Method by Gross, Histological, and Microbiological Evaluation

Anuch  Durongphan; Warit  Chongkolwatana; Popchai  Ngamskulrungroj; Thanaphat  Pochnasomboon; Jatupong  Pinkaew; Benjaporn  Pamornpol; Rosarin  Ratanalekha; Mathee  Ongsiriporn

doi:10.33192/Smj.2022.52

Authors

Anuch Durongphan Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand/Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Warit Chongkolwatana Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Popchai Ngamskulrungroj Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Thanaphat Pochnasomboon Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Jatupong Pinkaew Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Benjaporn Pamornpol Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Rosarin Ratanalekha Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Mathee Ongsiriporn Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2022.52

Keywords:

Saturated salt solution, embalming, cadaver, dissection

Abstract

Objective: To investigate and develop the saturated salt embalming method and evaluate the cadavers.

Materials and Methods: Eight cadavers were embalmed with a saturated salt solution (SSS) by submerged (SG, N=2) and non-submerged (NSG, N=6), then evaluated by gross dissection, which compared to living humans, fresh and Thiel’s cadavers. The histological evaluation was compared to textbook pictures. The assessments were recorded on a Likert scale from 0 (no resemblance) to 5 (most resemblance). Pre-and post-embalming swabs were collected for bacterial and fungal cultures and lung tissues for acid-fast staining and mycobacterial cultures. Comparisons between the evaluated items were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The Likert scale results were reported by percentage.

Results: The submerge method (N=2) was terminated after three months of embalming because it showed insufficient quality for dissection. Six cadavers in NSG had gross tissue qualities that resembled living humans or fresh cadavers on a scale of 3 or 4. NSG had excellent joint flexibility. The histological tissues showed similarity to textbook pictures, with a scale of 4 or 5. There were bacterial and fungal cultures at the end of embalming. The pathogenic bacteria were Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mycobacterium cultures were negative.

Conclusion: Injected SSS, 80% total body water volume, is a promising embalming method that yields cadavers with high tissue quality, flexible joints, and good histological structures. However, this technique cannot eliminate bacteria and normal flora. It may result from the tropical climate setting.

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