| Title |
Body donation practices: a retrospective analysis of the Vilnius University body donation registry |
| Authors |
Bogdzevič, Elvin Francišek ; Suchomlinov, Andrej ; Tutkuvienė, Janina |
| DOI |
10.15388/EM.7.2026 |
| Full Text |
|
| Is Part of |
Evoliucinė medicina: žmogaus raidos perspektyvos ir sveikata besikeičiančioje aplinkoje: septintoji tarptautinė konferencija, 2026 m. liepos mėn. 7-10 d., Vilniaus universitetas, Lietuva = Evolutionary medicine: perspectives on human development and health consequences in a changing environment: the 7th international conference, 7th-10th of July, 2026, Vilnius University, Lithuania.. Vilnius : Vilniaus universiteto leidykla. 2026, p. 48 |
| Keywords [eng] |
anatomical research ; body donation ; teaching of anatomy |
| Abstract [eng] |
Background and Aim: Practical anatomy education remains a cornerstone of healthcare education and research, providing a fundamental basis for undergraduate medical education while assuming an increasingly significant role in postgraduate and specialist training. Methods of anatomy teaching involving donor bodies vary across Europe, from hands-on cadaver dissection by students to the use of pre-dissected bodies for demonstration purposes. The aim of this study was to analyse body donation practices at Vilnius University. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 513 individuals who registered to donate their bodies postmortem to the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, for anatomical education and research between February 1999 and March 2026. The following data were collected: date of birth, sex, municipality of residence, date of signing the declaration of will for body donation, preferred place of burial, preference for commemoration during Holy Mass, and the permitted duration of body use for educational and research purposes. For individuals whose bodies were donated and accepted after death, date of death, place of burial, and body preservation method were analysed additionally. Statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: The median age of study participants was 69 years (IQR: 18), 61.99% (n=318) of them being female and 38,01% (n=195) male. Vilnius University received n=17 declarations of will between 1999 and 2009, n=233 between 2010 and 2019, and n=263 between 2020 and 2026. Nearly half of received declarations of will - 48.81% (n=247) were from individuals living in Vilnius municipality. Vilnius University has received 75 donated bodies, 25.33% (n=19) of them remain in use for educational and research purposes, 74.67% (n=56) were cremated. Conclusions: Women were more likely to donate their bodies for anatomical studies and research. The number of declarations of will has grown substantially over time. Most declarations of will were received from individuals residing in Vilnius Municipality. |
| Published |
Vilnius : Vilniaus universiteto leidykla |
| Type |
Conference paper |
| Language |
English |
| Publication date |
2026 |
| CC license |
|
