Plastination Using Standard S10 Technique-Our Experience in Christian Medical College, Vellore

Plastination is a unique method of preserving tissue in a dry and odourless state, invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens. In recent years, plastination has been introduced in many Anatomy Departments, where plastinated specimens also known as plastinates are used as an adjunct in the teaching of gross anatomy. Currently in the Department of Anatomy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Silicone S-10 standard plastination technique is used to preserve body parts. In the past 2 years more than 150 specimens have been plastinated for demonstration as well as museum displays. The formalin fixed tissues are dehydrated in acetone. Forced impregnation is done using a vacuum chamber and finally the specimens are hardened in a gas chamber. Adapting plastination technique has yielded dry, odourless and durable plastinates which are useful as an adjunctfor demonstration of prosected specimens and as excellent museum specimens.