THE EFFECTS OF EMBALMING ON THE COMPRESSIVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN CORTICAL BONE

Introduction The use of formalin fixed bone tissue for experimental biomechanics would minimize biological risks and make sample management easier. However this fixation technique has often been avoided because of its assumed effect on the mechanical properties of bones. The aim of the present study was to determine the shortand longterm effect of a solution with a low formalin concentration (4%) on the compressive mechanical properties of cortical bone.