Teaching procedures on the newly dead

Human cadavers as an experimental model for esophageal surgery

The use of cadavers in experimental esophageal surgery is reviewed. Items useful to cadaveric studies such as post-mortem changes, biosafety, ethics, and legislation are discussed. Tactics used in minimally invasive procedures (thoracoscopy and laparoscopy) are shown. Cadaveric use in studies concerning esophagectomy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal atresia, Boerhaave's syndrome, and Mallory-Weiss tears are discussed. It is concluded that human bodies represent a good but underused model for esophageal surgery.

Teaching resuscitation skills using the newly deceased

In many hospital emergency departments doctors learn life-saving technical skills on patients who have recently died. This longstanding practice is justified as providing training that cannot be offered in any other way. But can it continue without the informed consent of relatives and the general approval of the public?