Abstract
Plastination suits very good for 3D reconstruction and morphometric measurements. Digital representation of anatomical features has provided a useful source of data for computer-based instructional development. The validation of 3D reconstructions and measurements needs a thoroughly knowledge about shrinkage. The aim of this paper is to determine the average slice shrinkage rate occurring during sheet plastination (E12 and P40). Fresh human brain slices for P40, pelvis slices for the standard E12 technique and a shoulder tissue block for the E12 thin slice technique were used for this study. In order to determine the shrinkage rate, the slice areas were measured before and after plastination for al samples. For the E12 thin slice technique, the shoulder tissue block was measured before and after plastination and a volumetric shrinkage rate was determined. The shrinkage rate was for P 40 technique 5.74%, for standard E12 technique 6.54% and for the E12 thin slices technique 6.23%. Therefore, plastinated slices showed a decreased shrinkage rate and fit best for research purposes. All shrinkage rates were under 10%, so we believe that every shrinkage below this value is appropriate and actually is fitted for a correct plastination procedure. Keywords: plastination, polymer E12, polymer P40, shrinkage