Plastination of Specimens Using the Silicone (S10) Technique Following Embalming with Dodge© Products Results in Improved Color Retention and Tissue Differentiation

Abstract

: Embalming and plastination are both processes which tend to reduce the amount of natural color within a specimen. This can result in a lack of definition between tissue types making them less effective as teaching resources. The Mazwell Group © manufactures and distributes Dodge © embalming chemicals for the funeral industry which are intended to give a life-like appearance. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has begun to use these chemicals as standard for their anatomical embalming. However, there is conflicting literature on whether these types of chemicals are suitable precursors to plastination, a process which the RVC also carries out. Bovine, canine, and equine hearts were plastinated following removal from cadavers embalmed using Dodge © embalming chemicals. The final specimens were compared both visually and with an RGB color sampler, with those plastinated following embalming with a standard formalin/water/glycerol solution. Comparisons of the heart specimens and others showed an increase in color retention and tissue differentiation. The use of Dodge © embalming chemicals has been shown not to be detrimental to the plastination process and results in specimens suitable for anatomical teaching.