The Corrosion Plastination Technique: A Possible Reality

Abstract

Since the seventies, plastination has been known as a technique applied for preservation of organisms, bodies and structures, and is used for teaching purposes. Plastination uses different substances such as silicone, epoxy resins and polymers that generate rigid and flexible pieces. In this work, we modified the technique of plastination by corrosion, obviating the chemical fixation with formaldehyde in fresh kidney specimens. The initial washing was performed with heparinized solution and infiltration was done with natural latex, with and without colorant. After five days, digestion was conducted with pepsin in acid, and an odorless and durable product was obtained. This and other plastination techniques are used in different fields, such as teaching, research and the arts. Current trends in syllabi revolve around the academic credit system, where the student’s independent work allows them to improve, expand concepts and work on related topics and use, for instance, preservation techniques applied to organisms, at the same time reducing the use of toxic substances such as tissue fixatives.