Comparison of Cold and Room Temperature Silicone Plastination Techniques Using Tissue Core Samples and a Variety of Plastinates

Abstract

2 College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA ABSTRACT: A variety of organs, body regions and whole body specimens were plastinated using standard procedures for both cold and room temperature silicone plastination techniques. From these plastinates, advantages and shortcomings of both methods were evaluated. Criteria used for evaluation of plastinates included: duration of impregnation and curing, quality of plastinated specimens, need for extra equipment and its maintenance, as well as other cost considerations. To efficiently evaluate shrinkage and plastination duration, 3 cm pieces (core samples) of parenchymatous organs and 7 cm lengths from intestinal segments were collected, dehydrated and plastinated using standard procedures for both cold and room temperature silicone plastination techniques. Core sample volume was evaluated at the end of each stage of the process by fluid displacement. Shrinkage of samples was calculated after each stage of plastination. Evaluation of this information showed that the room temperature plastination technique takes about 35% less time for impregnation and curing, causes an average 8% less specimen shrinkage, produces life-like hair, fur or feathered specimens and it is more costefficient. The cold temperature plastination technique produces more flexible and elastic specimens and is preferable for whole body plastination.