Plastination - A method for preservation of oral hard and soft tissue biopsy specimen v/s the conventional method of preservation with formalin

CONTEXT: Plastination is one of the most advanced method for preserving perishable biological specimen as well as tissue samples as for a longer period of time using polymers. AIMS: To evaluate the changes in dimension of hard and soft tissue specimens after plastination procedure and compare it with the conventional method of preservation in formalin. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Institution-based retrospective study. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The study included 20 formalin-fixed soft tissue and 10 formalin-fixed hard tissue specimens. All the specimens were plastinated which involved four basic steps of fixation, dehydration and defatting, impregnation with polymer and curing of polymer followed by finishing and storage. The specimens were analysed for shrinkage and dimensional changes and changes in colour and consistency between formalin-fixed specimen and plastinated soft tissue and hard tissue specimen. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: After plastination, soft tissues showed average shrinkage of 3.49%with a range of 0.80–7.90% in comparison to the original size. In case of teeth and hard tissue specimen, there was no evidence of dimensional changes or shrinkage before and after plastination. Changes in colour and consistency of the soft tissue specimens were also noted before plastination and after plastination. CONCLUSIONS: Although the plastinated specimens in the current study showed minimal shrinkage rate, they have proved to be an excellent alternative to formalin-fixed specimens as they are easy to handle and maintain, non-infectious, non-toxic, user-friendly.