Turkish Neurosurgery 2016 , Vol 26 , Num 4
A Very Quickly Prepared, Colored Silicone Material for Injecting into Cerebral Vasculature for Anatomical Dissection: A Novel and Suitable Material for both Fresh and Non-Fresh Cadavers
Kamran URGUN1, Zafer Orkun TOKTAS1, Akin AKAKIN1, Baran YILMAZ1, Soner SAHIN2, Turker KILIC1
1Bahçeşehir University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, İstanbul, Turkey
2Kocaeli Derince Research and Teaching Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Kocaeli, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.12293-14.1 AIM: Cadaveric studies have a great impact on neuroanatomy learning. Cadaver preparation may take a lot of effort, especially at the phase of intravascular color filling. The authors describe their silicone dye technique and a novel mixture which is self-curing, quick to prepare and easy to inject.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The first one of these processes is undoubtedly embalming and decapitation of the cadaver. If possible, the most appropriate time that should be preferred is immediately after the donor’s death. Preparation for cadaveric dissection of the brain requires some fundamental steps that can be summarized into: a) Embalming and decapitation, b) Exposing, cannulization and irrigation of main vascular structures, c) Preparing colored silicone, d) Injection of colored silicone and staining the vascular tree, e) Sample maintenance

RESULTS: Our method of preparation of silicone dye and injection enables neurosurgeons and anatomists to fill cerebral and dural vascular structures, and even diploic veins nicely in both fresh and aged cadaveric heads. Moreover, the main vascular structures and their branches in the lateral and third ventricles are painted remarkably beautifully.

CONCLUSION: We tried to provide our experience about the preparation of head cadavers for anatomical dissection using a novel mixture of colored silicone that is very easy to prepare and inject with very satisfactory results. Keywords : Head cadaver, Silicone dye, Cerebral vasculature, Anatomy, Dissection

Corresponding author : Kamran Urgun, drkamranurgun@gmail.com