P40 Polyester Plastination for Brain Slices: Standardization and Student Experience as a Learning Tool for Non dissection-based Courses
Jenny Jacob, Deepak Vinod Francis, Suganthy RabiAbstract
Background:
Plastination, as a process, helps with long-term preservation of organic tissue. P40 polyester plastination preserves brain slices while maintaining clear differentiation between gray and white matter – an advantage for neuroanatomical teaching.
Objectives:
This study aims to share a decade of experience in optimizing brain sheet plastination using P40 polyester and to assess its teaching utility in a nondissection-based curriculum.
Methodology:
Brain specimens were obtained from human cadavers and animal sources. After fixation, brains were sliced into coronal, sagittal, and transverse sections using a brain slicer, followed by dehydration with acetone and vacuum impregnation with P40 polyester resin. The slices were embedded between two glass plates and cured under ultraviolet light. Plastinates were used in small-group neuroanatomy teaching. Student perceptions were obtained through structured questionnaires, utilizing both Likert scales and open-ended responses.
Results:
The process yielded durable, odorless sheet plastinates. Student feedback (
Conclusions:
P40 polyester plastinated brain sections are a cost-effective, durable resource for neuroanatomical education, enhancing learning by facilitating the identification of gray and white matter and anatomical relationships. Adjunct use alongside wet specimens helps improve teaching and learning by enabling handling and creating a long-lasting collection of teaching aid.