TECHNIQUE FOR THE HARVESTING OF HUMAN CADAVERIC SPINES

Study Design. One hundred twelve fresh cadaveric spines were harvested using a newly described technique. Objectives. To develop and describ e a technique for the expeditious excision of intact human cadaveric s pines for biomechanical testing, to educate the dissector on the healt h and safety issues involved in harvesting spinal specimens, and to re view the present recommendations for storage and preservation of spina l segments. Summary of the Background Data. As the need for biomechani cal spinal research continues to expand, the demand for fresh human ca daveric vertebral specimens increases. Previous techniques for harvest ing are simplistic and sparse. This technique offers a reliable and ex peditious method for procurement of spinal vertebral segments of any s ize. Methods. Human cadaveric spines were harvested using an adaptatio n of previous posterior spinal approaches. Techniques for sectioning e ach vertebral region were developed. Detailed description of these tec hniques was meticulously documented. The procured spinal segments have been used for multiple biomechanical investigations. investigations. Results. The technique has been used successfully in more than 100 spi nal harvests. Approximate time required is 30 minutes. The harvested s egments have been reliable biomechanical specimens in many published s tudies. Conclusions. A new technique for the rapid extraction of human cadaveric spines has been developed.. Dissectors may benefit from the recommendations offered for sectioning of each region.