Human tissue retrieval at post-mortem for musculoskeletal research

Laboratory experimentation must attempt to reduce animal involvement, and human cadaveric tissue can be a suitable alternative; however, this tissue is a potential biohazard, with the transmission of human immunodeficiency and hepatitis viruses presenting a very serious problem. In this paper we discuss how human tissue can be obtained at hospital post-mortem, and how it can then be stored and handled in a laboratory environment, focusing particularly on safety issues. We discuss the way in which the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Leicester University obtained human tissue for research into hip replacement. It is hoped that the article will serve as a 'blue-print' for other related research projects, where human tissue is required for experimentation.