Neurological and autonomic manifestations in Anatomy dissection lab: A cross - sectional study from Nepal

Abstract

Background:

Anatomy is a fundamental and important most part of the medical curriculum; which gives the sound understanding of human anatomy for the future training in the clinical subjects like surgery. Formalin is used as preservative substance for cadavers. The main objective of the research was to find out the common neurological and the autonomic manifestations associated with dissection.

Methods:

A questionnaire-based study was carried out in the Basic Science Campus of Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal.  The questionnaire included Ophthalmological, ENT and other clinical manifestations associated with dissection.

Results:

Indian students comparatively more nauseous.  Among the Nepalese students discomfort and headache were more followed by Indians and Srilankan students. Males had [OR 2.53 (1.198, 5.343)] times more shivering hand than females during dissection. They also experienced dryness of mouth, sweating and pass out [OR 2.158 (1.377, 3.381)], [OR 2.250 (1.490, 3.396)] and [OR 5.539 (2.420, 12.676)] times respectively compared to females.

Conclusion:

In this study we found that, comparing with other researches, dissection associated clinical manifestations was relatively less in MCOMS. This is practically impossible to remove preservative substances from the dissection lab entirely, but adopting suitable measures can reduce risks to the health of the medical students. Improvement in ventilation by using more exhaust fans in windows, installation of dissection tables equipped with local exhaust ventilation system is more effective. Giving short breaks in dissection sessions, protective measures like, activated carbon mask, goggle and rubber glove for sensitive students can improve the scenario in future.