ABSTRACT
Background: Surgical and anatomical training has been found to be most optimally simulated in
a cadaver than any other available methods. Soft embalming methods have made the bodies
more ‘lifelike’ and better suited for training. The widely accepted soft embalming
techniques, including Thiel embalming, are designed for temperate climates. Their
use in tropical locations has been found to be associated with poor short-term and
long-term preservation of the bodies. In fact, adequate reports from tropical countries
on effective methods for soft embalming are lacking. Materials and Methods: This article details the modifications made in the Thiel embalming technique over
a period of 2 years which has enabled us to preserve the anatomical features of bodies
in an optimal way for longer periods in tropical conditions. This study was carried
out in a tertiary care referral centre located in a tropical climate zone. A total
of 13 frozen and thawed cadavers were used over a period of 2 years for developing
such soft embalming technique. The efficacy of the technique was tested using these
cadavers for varying types of surgical exercises on multiple occasions. Results: The conventionally described technique of Thiel embalming did not provide desired
results. Hence, various modifications to this technique were instituted which helped
us to get superior quality of soft-embalmed cadavers. In the final year, these cadavers
were used successfully for workshops in flap dissection. Head and neck access surgery,
arthroscopic and laparoscopic procedures as well as mock face and hand transplant
dissections. Conclusions: The Theil embalming technique for obtaining soft embalmed cadavers, even though found
to be best in many centres in the world, has not been found to be suitable to tropical
weather. By modifying it, we have succeeded in developing a technique suitable to
the tropical weather. This technique yields cadavers suitable for various surgical
simulation exercises. This technique also allows the body to be optimally used over
several months in multiple occasions. These modifications are very simple and have
been described in detail enabling it to be adopted by any surgical skill laboratory
in the tropical countries.
KEY WORDS
Cadaver dissection - flap harvest course - soft embalming - Thiel embalming
