Abstract

Background: Plastination is an excellent technique which helps preserve biological specimens in a dry, odorless, and state. In this technique, water and fat are extracted from tissues and are replaced with curable polyester. Previously prepared plastinated sheets of human brain were fragile and heavy (standard method). The aim of this study was to prepare flexible and light plastinated sheets of human brains. Methods: Two intact human brains were prepared and fixed in 10 formalin for 3 months. After. They were sliced into 3 mm thickness sheets and were dehydrated by acetone in -250C for 4 weeks. Then, the slices were impregnated by P88 flexible polyester in the vacuum chamber. Finally, each slice was cast in an individual flat chamber consisting of 2 standard glass plates by P88 flexible polyester. The transparency, weight, flexibility, bubbling and Gross fragility of the prepared sheets were compared with those of the standard method. The transparency was measured by photometer machine. Their weight was assessed by digital scale; Gross fragility and bubbling were assessed by direct observation. Flexibility of samples was investigated by the degree of bending zero to 45, 45 to 90, 90 to 135 and 135 to 180 degrees of bending were scaled 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Finding: Average light passing, flexible sheets was 85, while in standard method was 90. The weights of flexible sheets were 200-400 gr, and in standard method were 600-800 gr. Bubbling and gross fragility were observed in standard method, while no bubbling and gross fragility were observed in flexible sheets. The average flexibility of flexible sheets was, while in standard method was 1. Conclusion: P88 polyester seems to provide lighter and more flexible brain sheets compared with the standard method.