Block Method of Human Temporal Bone Removal: A Technical Modification to Permit Rapid Removal

Objectives/Hypothesis: To describe a technical modification to the block method (BM) of harvesting human cadaveric temporal bones for otolaryngology resident education and training. Study Design: Human cadaveric study. Methods: Human cadavers previously dissected by medical students in a professional health science program were identified as potential candidate specimens for temporal bone removal. Cadaveric heads were prepared for temporal bone harvesting by excising the calvarium and brain via standard techniques. A reciprocating saw was used to make four bone cuts to harvest two temporal bone specimens. Results: Temporal bone specimens could be harvested using only four bone cuts to release both temporal bones from one human cadaver as opposed to four bone cuts for a single temporal bone per the traditional BM. All temporal bones were inspected and found to have all the anatomical landmarks necessary for resident education and training intact. Conclusions: The modified BM for temporal bone removal is a rapid, efficient, and reproducible method of harvesting two complete and intact temporal bones per cadaver with fewer bone cuts as compared to the traditional BM.