Rapid ultrathin slice plastination of embalmed specimens with minimal tissue loss

Abstract

A modified technique of producing 1 mm (ultrathin) E12 plastinated slices of tissue specimens from embalmed cadavers for anatomical teaching and research is described. Specimens up to 150 mm in length and width were embedded in polyurethane foam and serially sectioned using an OMAS C300 food slicer. Individual slices were then processed by cold dehydration, degreasing, resin impregnation, mounting and curing. Bone-containing specimens were first decalcified. Tissue slices could be cut with remarkable accuracy (0.98 +/- 0.01 mm per slice) and minimal tissue loss (less than 2% per slice). The entire production process could be achieved in 25 days and was associated with tissue volume shrinkage of no more than 6%. These results demonstrate a relatively rapid method of producing ultrathin E12 slices with minimal tissue loss. The technique may be particularly applicable to submacroscopic morphologic studies and three-dimensional reconstruction in clinical anatomy.

E12 sheet plastination: Techniques and applications

“…A diamond saw can be used to obtain plastinated sections around 400–500 μm thickness with no decalcification; this is the E12 ultra‐thin technique (Sora, ; Soal et al, ). With this diamond saw it is possible to obtain sections that include metal or ceramic implants to study the interface of these biomaterials.von Hagens et al () indicated that specimens should be frozen to be cut, adding that the saw guide must be cooled to 0°C.…”

“…Transparent sections of anatomical regions allow the topography of all body structures to be studied for teaching and research purposes in an uncollapsed state and without displacement (Cook, ; Skalkos et al, ; Sora et al ; Sora and Cook, ; Soal et al ; Sora and Matusz, ; Kürtül et al, ; Ottone et al, ). They preserve the anatomical positions of all the tissues in situ and can be examined at macro‐ and micro‐scopic levels (Cook and Al‐Ali, ; Leaper et al, ; Thorpe Lowis et al, ).…”

Reply: General considerations regarding the thin slice plastination technique

“…We appreciate the interest shown in our article (Soal et al, 2010) by Drs. Sora and Matusz (2010) who have themselves made significant contributions to the field of sheet plastination.…”

General considerations regarding the thin slice plastination technique

“…Soal et al (2010) propose in this article that the slices are first cut and then plastinated. It is logical that the processing time is low due to the slice thickness.…”