The use of cadavers remains essential for medical students studying anatomy, as it provides irreplaceable handson experience. Given that the available cadavers must be reused over time, an effective preservation method is necessary to maintain tissue integrity. Formaldehyde-based solutions are commonly used in cadaver preservation due to their costeffectiveness, practicality, and long-term tissue stability. However, given formaldehyde is carcinogenic and an irritant, it poses risks to both users and preserved cadavers. As a result, numerous studies have investigated cadaver embalming techniques as an effort to safeguard users and preserve cadavers. This review examines research on low-formaldehyde embalming solutions. Literature was retrieved from databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, with a focus on preservation efficacy, safety, and practical application. The reviewed literature identifies several low-formaldehyde formulations that effectively preserve cadavers while minimizing health risks. These solutions offer a variety of chemical compositions and application methods for institutes seeking safer cadaver preservation.The findings emphasize the need for anatomy instruction to switch to low-formaldehyde embalming. These approaches can preserve cadavers and reduce health hazards, but cost and resource availability remain important consideration. Further study is needed to enhance low-formaldehyde embalming solutions for anatomical institutes' different needs. This review concludes that low-formaldehyde embalming solutions are essential for cadaver preservation safety. This study helps anatomy professionals modify embalming practices in their institutions to improve cadaver preservation and user safety by revealing the benefits and downsides of several options.

Cadavers are essential for anatomical education, but limited availability necessitates long-term preservation.While formalin is widely used, it is carcinogenic and alters muscle morphology and joint mobility, reducing anatomical accuracy. The modified Larssen solution (MLS) has shown promise in improving joint flexibility, yet its efficacy remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate muscle condition and joint range of motion in rat specimens preserved with 4% formalin followed by MLS immersion, compared to continuous 4% formalin preservation. Eighteen rat cadavers were allocated into three groups: intracardiac perfusion followed by 0.9% NaCl immersion, intracardiac perfusion and threemonth immersion in 4% formalin, and intracardiac perfusion with 4% formalin followed by three-month immersion in MLS. Statistical analysis included the t-test or Mann–Whitney test, depending on data distribution. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between muscle fiber fragmentation and joint range of motion. Data from the NaCl group were excluded due to sample decomposition. The MLS group showed significantly redder muscle color (P<0.05), softer muscle consistency (P<0.05), and a non-significant increase in joint range of motion (P>0.05), without observable muscle fiber fragmentation. Correlation analysis could not be conducted due to the absence of fragmentation. MLS may serve as an effective alternative preservative by maintaining muscle color, texture, and structural integrity. Although the increase in joint mobility was not statistically significant, it was more pronounced than in the 4% formalin group. Future studies should explore longer observation periods and potential correlations with histological findings.

Anatomy studies require cadavers to study the human body. Generally in Indonesia, the dead human body will be buried. This causes problems because the decomposition process of a cadaver that is preserved with formalin will be delayed and it causes environmental pollution. The toxicity of formalin can be reduced by neutralizing the formalin. This study aimed to compare the decrease of mice mass that were preserved with formalin then neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and those that were not neutralized. This study used 18 mice (Mus musculus) which were divided into 3 groups. They were the control group (not given preservative), group preserved with 4% formalin, and group preserved with 4% formalin then neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. All groups of mice were buried for 6 weeks. The changes in mass were assessed with an analysis of the percentage loss in mass. Based on the results of this study, the formalin group had a greater percentage of total mass reduction than the neutralize group. The formalin group had a higher decomposition rate than the neutralizing sodium bicarbonate group. The effectiveness of reducing the concentration of formalin is similar with neutralize group. Therefore, it can be concluded that 4% formalin is recommended for use to accelerate the occurrence of decay and decrease in mass.

Learning anatomy in medical school is still closely based on the use of cadavers. The burial of preserved cadaver poses a problem, specifically, it contaminates the soil with formalin. Many studies have been conducted to find an alternative fixative to update or modify formalin usage. One of them is ethanol-glycerin (EG), which suggests promising results.Despite that fact, there has yet to be any research comparing the decomposition rate between EG and formalin. This study is conducted to compare the rate of decomposition between the two fixative solutions, EG and 4% formalin on the hind limb of mice. The mice were first preserved using a standard primary fixative solution which is 10% formalin, following that procedure is preservation using advanced fixative solution, EG or 4% formalin. Upon completing the preservation steps, the mice were buried for 6 weeks and observed weekly. The stages of decomposition were assessed semi-quantitatively depending on its appearance. The hind limbs of mice that were fixed with EG solution managed to reach the last stage of decomposition, dry & remains, while the 4% formalin group of mice still remained in the previous stage, advanced decay. It is concluded that the mice hind limbs that have been previously preserved with EG advanced fixative solution has a faster decomposition rate compared to 4% formalin.

Learning anatomy in medical school is still closely based on the use of cadavers. The burial of preserved cadaver poses a problem, specifically, it contaminates the soil with formalin. Many studies have been conducted to find an alternative fixative to update or modify formalin usage. One of them is ethanol-glycerin (EG), which suggests promising results.Despite that fact, there has yet to be any research comparing the decomposition rate between EG and formalin. This study is conducted to compare the rate of decomposition between the two fixative solutions, EG and 4% formalin on the hind limb of mice. The mice were first preserved using a standard primary fixative solution which is 10% formalin, following that procedure is preservation using advanced fixative solution, EG or 4% formalin. Upon completing the preservation steps, the mice were buried for 6 weeks and observed weekly. The stages of decomposition were assessed semi-quantitatively depending on its appearance. The hind limbs of mice that were fixed with EG solution managed to reach the last stage of decomposition, dry & remains, while the 4% formalin group of mice still remained in the previous stage, advanced decay. It is concluded that the mice hind limbs that have been previously preserved with EG advanced fixative solution has a faster decomposition rate compared to 4% formalin.