Local Flaps for Fingertip Injuries: A Plastinated Model

Abstract

This paper demonstrates preparation and plastination of local flaps, commonly used in fingertip injuries, for use as clinical models. Additionally, it reports on the introduction of plastination in Hungary and demonstrates an application of the plastination method in the clinical field. During the last two years, over 150 plastinated specimens were prepared and made available for student use in the Teaching Museum of Anatomy, Semmelweis University of Medicine. Our present goal is to prepare plastinated specimens that can be used in our clinics. Local flaps for fingertip injuries were prepared and plastinated. Four current techniques (Atasoy, Hueston, Venkataswami-Subramanian and O'Brien flaps) were carried out on an unfixed, right cadaver hand. After preparation, the hand was plastinated according to the S10 technique. Although shrinkage was significant enough to distort the natural appearance, the specimen maintained the shape of the prepared flap. Curing was not uniform. Non-dissected parts of the specimen covered by skin did not cure properly.