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

Abstract

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Undergraduate medical student perceptions and learning outcomes related to anatomy training using Thiel‐ and ethanol‐glycerin‐embalmed tissues

“…Contemporary research suggests that Thiel embalming preserves the body in natural color, and, at the same time, helps minimize formaldehyde use as a known health hazard (Hayashi et al, 2014;Ottone et al, 2016;Liao & Wang, 2019;Rakuša & Kocbek Šaherl, 2022).…”

“…Thiel and ethanol‐glycerin embalming are two commonly used alternatives to formaldehyde fixation commonly employed in undergraduate and postgraduate training, respectively (Hammer et al, 2011; Hammer et al, 2012; Balta, Lamb, & Soames, 2015; Hammer et al, 2015; Kennel et al, 2018; Crosado et al, 2020; Ackermann et al, 2021; Hammer, 2022; Rakuša & Kocbek Šaherl, 2022). Reportedly, Thiel embalming provides more realistic visual and haptic properties than most other fixatives, making it very suitable for postgraduate purposes (Balta, Lamb, & Soames, 2015; Hammer et al, 2015; Ottone et al, 2016; Lone et al, 2017; Hammer, 2022; Rakuša & Kocbek Šaherl, 2022). However, Thiel embalming is expensive (Benkhadra, Bouchot, et al, 2011; Brenner, 2014; Hayashi et al, 2014), time‐consuming and difficult to perform (Wolff et al, 2008; Hammer et al, 2012).…”

“…Chemically embalmed human tissue have formed the basis of undergraduate gross anatomy training for more than 100 years (Weiglein, 2002; Drake et al, 2009; Hammer et al, 2011; Brenner, 2014; Balta, Cronin, et al, 2015; Balta, Lamb, & Soames, 2015; Kennel et al, 2018; Rakuša & Kocbek Šaherl, 2022) but also postgraduate training, workshops and answering anatomical and biomechanical research questions (Löffler et al, 2009; Eisma et al, 2011; Jaung et al, 2011; Prasad Rai et al, 2012; Eisma et al, 2013; Löffler et al, 2013; Hammer et al, 2015; Choi et al, 2020). Post‐mortem tissues are commonly embalmed with formaldehyde owing its ease of use, broad availability, and low cost (Blum, 1893, 1896; Benkhadra, Bouchot, et al, 2011; Eisma et al, 2013).…”

Morphological changes in striated muscle fibres caused by components of the Thiel embalming method

“…Since then, many studies investigated the advantages of soft embalmed Thiel-fixed cadavers, such as joint pliability, tissue suppleness and appearance with realistic color (2,9,13,16,23,31,46). These characteristics are favorable for surgical training (5,9,14,18,20,30,32,33,40,43,44).…”

“…However, some less favorable aspects regarding dissection, appearance or recognition of tissue, as compared to formalin-fixed cadavers, are reported (24,42), particularly muscular disorganization and noticeable histological alterations (19,32). Although Thiel fixation has been in use for 30 years, and several studies have investigated the histological effects of Thiel fixation, there is still no sufficient explanation why cadavers retain such a high pliability.…”