Comparisons in Soft-Tissue Thicknesses on the Human Face in Fresh and Embalmed Corpses Using Needle Puncture Method

• Published in: International journal of morphology Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 165 - 169
• Main Authors: Suazo Galdames, Iván Claudio, Cantín López, Mario, Zavando Matamala, Daniela Alejandra, Perez Rojas, Francisco Javier, Torres Muñoz, Sebastián René
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedad Chilena de Anatomía 01-03-2008
• Subjects: ANATOMY & MORPHOLOGY; Soft-tissue thickness; Embalsamamiento; Reconstrucción facial; Grosor de tejido blando; Embalming; Cadavers; Identificación; Facial reconstruction; Identification; Cadáveres
• ISSN: 0717-9502; 0717-9502
• DOI: 10.4067/S0717-95022008000100027

The aim of the present study is to analyze the differences in the soft facial tissue thicknesses measured in corpses without fixing, with recent death, and in embalmed corpses. 30 male human corpses were used; they were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a conservation method. Fifteen bodies, without any method of conservation, with an average age of 38.6 years (SD 8.37) and Fifteen preserved bodies by means of the intravascular injection technique of fixing conservative solution on the basis of formaldehyde, with an average age of 38.4 years (SD 7.67). In each one of them the thickness was measured in eight medium and six bilateral paramedium landmarks, using the needle-punction method. The descriptive statistical ones were calculated and the t test was applied with 95% of significance. All the landmarks, except for right exocanthion and left and right gonion, presented bigger thickness in the cadavers embalsamed. You differ significant they were in the Trichion, glabella, nasion, pogonion, right superciliare, right supraorbital, right infraorbital, right gonion, left superciliare, left supraorbital, right infraorbital landmarks.