In-vitro preparation of dry bones from remnants of dissected cadavers - An effective method of reutilizing human cadaver waste

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Introduction and objectives Cadaver dissection and exposure to skeleton is currently in practice in ail medical faculties worldwide. Although the usage of natural bones is recommended in learning anatomy, due to the legal and ethical issues, the availability of natural bones to medical students is decreasing. The objective of this study was to develop a method to prepare dry bones from dissected cadaver waste. Method Dissected cadaver specimens were cleaned and disarticulated at large joints. Long bones were dipped in boiling chamber and potassium hydroxide (KOH) was added to a ratio of KOH: Bone weight = 5g:lkg. Specimens containing small bones were wrapped in a steel-mesh. The specimens containing long and small bones were boiled for 5 & 2 hours respectively and buried in plastic buckets containing red-soil and compost. Lactobacilli bacterial solution was added to increase the decaying process since the formalinized tissues resist decaying. After 3 months bones were recovered and re-boiled for disinfection, left to air dry and varnished. Results Bones retained original morphometry and the method produced higher numbers, utilizing minimum space in a short time period^ Preparation of bones by burial of formalin preserved body parts takes an extensively long time to decay. This method, reduces the load of dissected human tissue which needs to be removed and buried in a cemetery and thereby greatly reduces the maintenance cost of a dissecting laboratory. Conclusions Already formalinized bones should last long and have high durability as published by Ohman et al,.2008. This novel method is an effective method of reutilizing human cadaver waste by preparing dry bones.