Sectioning fresh human bone: the reduction of aerosol and physical hazards

Musculoskeletal research demands an accurate model on which to work, and fresh frozen human bone is an ideal material. However, there is increasing concern over the biohazard that this represents. A method is reported that reduces the biohazard, and two research situations are described. Both use polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement as an interface between the human tissue and the cutting device, which allows solid and suitable geometry for vice fixation. A method of bone cutting that enables remote operation is described; this method may reduce the risk of disease transmission by aerosol, and prove useful to all in this field of research.