IntroductionThe flexibility of cadavers conserved using Thiel's embalming method remains unexplained. We aimed to perform microscopic comparison of muscle and tendon fibres from fresh cadavers (FC), formaldehyde-preserved cadavers (FPC) and cadavers conserved by Thiel's method (TC). Methods Muscle and tendon biopsies performed on FC, FPC and TC were conditioned and stained by Masson's trichrome, Sirius red and Ramon y Cajal, then studied under optical microscope. Alignment and integrity of the muscle and tendon fibres were studied. ResultsWe observed a modification of the muscle fibres in all specimens from TC, regardless of the type of staining used. The muscle fibres taken from FC and FPC were relatively well conserved, both in terms of alignment and integrity. We did not observe any modification of collagen in either muscle or tendon fibres. ConclusionsThe considerable fragmentation of the muscle proteins, probably caused by certain corrosive chemicals, (e.g. boric acid) present in Thiel's embalming solution, could explain the suppleness of the TC. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of alterations in tendon or muscle collagen, since the experimental methods we used, did not allow for the study of collagen ultrastructure.

The utility of mammary prosthesis texturing in the prevention of capsular contracture was established some 20 years ago. Various models of implant texturing are currently on the market. We decided to study two of the most popular implants with two different surface texturings: the Biocell RTV and the Mentor 1600 Siltex. An observation at the electron microscopic level of the implants' surfaces was achieved. At the time of a prospective survey on 10 patients, the capsule fragments corresponding to these two prostheses have been analyzed at the electron microscopic level. All prostheses were removed from the patients because of asymmetry or bad positioning. The aim of our study was to establish a correlation between these two frequent texturing surfaces and their corresponding capsules. Our results showed that only the Biocell's capsules present a mirror image with correspondence of the depressions on the prosthesis and contacts on the capsule. This phenomenon seems linked to the existence of a critical size of the pores constituting the implant surface. This observation leads us to the hypothesis of an adhesive effect between the prosthesis and its capsule. If this last is not directly linked to the prevention of capsular contracture, it can have an effect on implant stabilization in the primary mammary reconstruction and in the secondary corrections of asymmetry or bad position.

Therapeutic, II.