IJAR.2023.144
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 11; Issue 2 (June2023)
Page No.: 8640-8644
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2023.144
A Cost-Effective Novel Method of Preparing Plastinated Specimens of Brain
K. Vijayakumar *1, Mandar Ambike 2, Daksha Dixit 3.
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Symbiosis Medical College for Women, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University (SIU) Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0000-0003-3032-8974
2 Professor and HOD, Department of Anatomy, Symbiosis Medical College for Women, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University (SIU) Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0000-0002-9759-9827
3 Professor, Department of Anatomy, Symbiosis Medical College for Women, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University (SIU) Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0000-0001-6600-5355
Corresponding Author: Dr.K.Vijayakumar, Department of Anatomy, Symbiosis Medical College for Women, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University (SIU). Talmulshi, Lavale, Maharashtra, Pune – 412115, India. Mobile: 9940695046 E-Mail: kvijay.india@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The human bodies and organs have traditionally been preserved using formalin solution, although it irritates the eyes, nose and throat. Plastination is an unique and expensive method for preserving biological samples that can be used in teaching and research. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to prepare a cost-effective solution using thermocol to plastinate the brain specimens as a supplement for teaching and research. Two human brains were used in this pilot research project. According to standard procedures, the brains were first fixed in 10% formaldehyde, sectioned horizontally, sagittally and coronally dehydrated in acetone, and then immersed in the plastination solution at room temperature and pressure. Then the specimens were air-dried at room temperature. A team of 62 Anatomists and Pathologists assessed the quality of the specimens using a self-developed grading scale. The grading was provided based on the specimens’ clarity, stability, aesthetic look, colour and smell. Statistical analyses was performed using SPSS software, Kruskal Wallis test showed that the lowest mean score was 4.04 provided for colour and highest mean score was 5 provided for the smell with a statistically significant p<0.001. Thus our plastinated specimens were of good quality, durable and handle-friendly. Our study demonstrated that the cost-effective plastination solution (CEPS) procedure is an inexpensive and efficient way to create plastinated specimens that are appropriate for teaching neuroanatomy.
Keywords: Brain, Thermocol, Plastination, Cost-Effective Plastination.
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