Title: Plastination of Brain Using Orthocryl: A Viable Alternative?
Authors: Subhendu Pandit, Tripti Shrivastava, Sushil Kumar
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v3i9.11
Abstract
Tissue preservation is an important aspect in teaching Anatomy. Most of the organs and tissues are preserved in formalin with its own set of disadvantages. Plastination is a unique method of permanently preserving tissue in a life like state.
The classical way of Plastination developed by western authorities is a labour and equipment intensive affair. The expensive polymers like S10 are not readily available. Only few studies using locally available polymers have been done and this study attempts to bridge this gap.
Orthocryl which is a PMMA based polymer was used to plastinate brain specimens. The specimens were made to undergo stages of dehydration, impregnation (with polymer) and curing. The results were interpreted under various parameters like shrinkage, retention of colour, odour, pliability and retention of gross anatomy. The study concluded that results with Orthocryl were satisfactory in the various parameters studied.
The study was able to prove the hypothesis that indigenous methods and materials can produce quality plastinates which may be an important adjunct to traditional methods of teaching.
Key words: Plastination, Orthocryl, Brain
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