Preservation of Porcine Biomodels for the Study of Comparative Human Anatomy

The teaching of human anatomy in medical education faces challenges, necessitating effective alternatives for students to practically explore anatomical complexity. Porcine biomodels, with their anatomical similarities to humans, offer a promising solution. This article presents a detailed protocol for preserving porcine biomodels, addressing the need for accessible and efficient methods in comparative anatomy studies. This protocol proposes the use of a modified Chilean solution for biomodel preservation, employing formalinization techniques through repletion and immersion. Subsequently, deformalization is achieved using the modified Chilean solution without formaldehyde, followed by a glycerin softening process. Given the scarcity of literature on preservation techniques and the absence of a standardized procedure or test to evaluate tissue conservation, we suggest assessing tissue quality based on measures of resistance and elasticity. Our findings indicate a qualitatively high level of tissue preservation in our specimens. Furthermore, these biomodels are currently utilized successfully for morphology studies and in teaching human comparative anatomy to medical students.