Cadaver Dissection Is Obsolete in Medical Training! A Misinterpreted Notion

Abstract

Cadaver dissection (CD) is considered a tool for studying the structural details of the human body. Lately, conflicting opinions regarding the utility of this modality in medical training have been published in medical literature. This review of the literature examines the status of anatomy teaching with CD in traditional, modern, and postgraduate medical training across the world. Literature published in the En­glish language on topics related to CD in the past 3 decades was scrutinized using different search engines. About 200 full texts were reviewed. We describe how medical schools have continued to include CD in anatomy teaching in the traditional or modified form. Medical schools that stopped or decreased CD have learnt from their experiences, and have restarted it in modified forms by integrating it vertically with medical training. In addition, CD activities have increased in postgraduate anatomy courses, surgery training, and voluntary/optional CD programs. CD, when integrated vertically, still has a part to play in medical training in modified ways. This overview may help curriculum designers to place CD in medical curricula and training programs in a justified manner.

Learning internal iliac artery ligation and pelvic ureter course through cadaveric dissections

“…5,6 Thus knowledge of designing and organizing such workshops is essential as these dissection sessions differ from traditional undergraduate anatomy dissection sessions. 7,8,9 In our experience these workshops successfully upgraded the skills of delegates in understanding pelvic anatomy and utilizing this knowledge in the interest of patients. Such CMEs should be organized regularly and should be integrated into post-graduate curriculum.…”

“…7 The need of such training and evidence from experience of such dissection sessions is also stressed in the literature. [8][9][10] Cadaver dissection learning has been established in ENT, orthopaedic and plastic surgery training but is still in a nascent stage in Gynecology. Herewith we share our experience of four cadaveric workshops designed to add and improve the surgical skills of general obstetricians and gynaecologists.…”

Computer Based Learning Modalities in Anatomy Dissection

“…In Asia, data regarding CD is not available from most of the medical schools. However, the literature shows that, in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Korea and Thailand many medical schools continue teaching anatomy assisted by CD [5]. According to Tam MDBS, advantages for the use of dissection include conceptualization of the multi-dimensional nature of the human body, touch-mediated perception, and appreciation of anatomical variability, the acquisition of practical dissection skills and appreciation of the ethical and moral issues arising from contact with cadavers [6].…”

“…Since the inception of the modern medical curriculum, anatomy teaching and cadaver dissection (CD) has been diluted or reallocated in medical training. Anatomists, surgeons, and medical educationists have published different opinions on the status of CD [5].…”

Is Cadaver Still Needed in Medical Education?

“…24 Beberapa kajian bahkan menyatakan bahwa diseksi cadaver merupakan keharusan dalam pendidikan kedokteran baik tahap sarjana hingga tahap lanjut, terutama dalam pendidikan keahlian terkait pembedahan. [25][26][27] Ada pula wacana bahwa dengan berkurangnya peran anatomi di tahap pendidikan kedokteran dasar maka menjadi sangat diperlukan di tahap klinik, bahkan perlu lebih ditekankan bahwa anatomi merupakan disiplin yang tak terpisahkan dalam kelompok klinik. 27,28 Beberapa institusi yang maju memang menawarkan beragam paket pembelajaran dan pelatihan anatomi klinik canggih yang memanfaatkan cadaver dengan biaya yang tidak kecil.…”