A novel approach to slow down putrefaction of unembalmed cadaveric tissue during lymphatic dissection: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The putrefaction factor is one of the biggest problems when undertaking unembalmed cadaveric tissue dissections for lymphatic vessel mapping. METHODS: One female bilateral breast and anterior upper torso from an unembalmed human cadaver was studied over an 8-week period. Multiple prefrozen domestic ice bricks were used to cover in turn and keep constantly cold or partially frozen, the contralateral side of the tissue during the dissections. Using hydrogen peroxide to identify the lymphatics under the surgical microscope, the vessels were injected with a lead oxide mixture, and then radiographed to demonstrate lymphatic vessels in both breasts. The final results transferred to the computer for analysis. RESULTS: Lymph collecting vessels were found in breasts, anterior upper torso, and the internal mammary vascular bundles. The lymphatics of the breast and the anterior upper torso drain radially into the axillary lymph nodes. Unexpectedly, the lymphatic vessel drainage patterns of each breast are asymmetrical in this specimen. CONCLUSION: This study provides a new method to slow down putrefaction of unembalmed cadaveric tissue, thus enabling lymphatic dissection of a bilateral breast and torso specimen.