Advanced training in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgical procedures using Genelyn®-embalmed human cadavers: A novel model.

BACKGROUND: Human cadaver is ideal for learning and acquiring new surgical skills. While cadavers preserved using Thiel's embalming method are commonly used for training in laparoscopic surgery, it is a cumbersome technique. We report our experience of using Genelyn®-embalmed cadavers for training in advanced laparoscopic gastrointestinal procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional satisfaction survey corresponding to level 1 of the Kirkpatrick model for training evaluation was performed among 19 participants of advanced laparoscopy surgical skills training workshop, in December 2019, using Genelyn®-embalmed cadavers. Visual, haptic and tactile characteristics of the organs and tissues were assessed along with overall satisfaction of the workshop using Likert scale. RESULTS: Five Genelyn®-embalmed cadavers were used for the workshop. All the 19 participants perceived that the cadavers were odourless and allowed adequate insufflation for laparoscopic procedures. Most of the participants(n=16, 84%) agreed that the appearance and tactile fidelity of the solid organs, luminal structures and tissues in Genelyn®-embalmed cadavers were similar to that of a live patient. There was a strong agreement among participants that the workshop will help improve the laparoscopic skills(median Likert score-4). CONCLUSION: The participants of the surgical skill training workshop felt that the Genelyn®-embalmed cadavers were ideal for use in practicing advanced laparoscopic procedures.

Reliability of inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance as compared to foot length for stature estimation in South Indians.

Estimation of stature from isolated body parts is especially important to forensic scientists and anthropologists. The aims of this study were, to evaluate the accuracy of inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance in determining stature of an individual as compared to foot length, and to note sex differences in the above mentioned parameters. One hundred normal healthy adult subjects from South India consisting of 50 males and 50 females were studied. The height, interspinous distance, and foot length of the subjects were measured. The mean and standard deviation of the height, interspinous distance, foot length and proportions of interspinous distance and foot length to height were calculated and significance testing done for sex differences. The correlation between stature and interspinous distance and stature and foot length was estimated, and linear regression equations for stature estimation were calculated. The height, interspinous distance and foot length were significantly greater in males. The proportion of interspinous distance to stature was significantly greater in females. Foot length showed a stronger positive correlation with stature compared to interspinous distance. When the sexes were considered separately the accuracy of stature estimation from interspinous distance increased greatly. Though interspinous distance is not as reliable as foot length in stature estimation, it could provide valuable data regarding the stature when isolated pelvises are available.

Anatomical variations associated with the carotid arterial system in the neck

During routine dissection of the neck regionof a middle aged female cadaver, the brachiocephalictrunk was found to arise from thearch of the aorta along the left margin of thetrachea. The right common carotid arose anteriorto the upper trachea and crossed it. Thecrossing of the upper part of the trachea by theright common carotid artery is a rare occurrence.A more distal branching of the aorticsac during fetal life could explain the anomalousorigin of the brachiocephalic trunk. Thismay lead to an unusual origin and course ofthe right common carotid artery. Knowledgeof this rare variation is clinically important formaking midline neck incisions, as well as forrevealing the diagnoses of pulsatile neckswellings. The other variations of the carotidarterial system described in this case includebilateral tortuosity of the common carotidarteries and external carotid arteries; ananterolateral relationship of the right externalcarotid artery to the right internal carotidartery at their origins; high bifurcation of theleft common carotid artery, and a bilateral originof the superior thyroid arteries from thecommon carotid artery. These more commonvariations need to be kept in mind when makingclinical diagnoses, conducting neck surgeriesand carrying out carotid angiography.The isthmus of the thyroid gland was found tobe absent. This finding is important because itmay be associated with other thyroid abnormalities (AU)

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