Room Temperature Plastination of Hollow Viscera (Cecum, Appendix, and Colon): First Experience at High Altitude in Bolivia

Summary

This study presents the first documented experience of plastination of hollow human viscera (cecum, appendix, and colon) in Bolivia, specifically in the city of La Paz, located at 4,150 meters above sea level. The primary objective was to assess the technical feasibility of performing plastination at room temperature, taking advantage of the reduced atmospheric pressure as a potential benefit during the forced impregnation stage. A human specimen fixed in 10% formalin was used, with prior vascular treatment using resin, and progressively dehydrated with acetone until reaching a concentration of 99.5%. Forced impregnation with flexible resin (silicone) was carried out using an active-passive vacuum protocol, adapted to high-altitude conditions, with alternating 8- hour phases of active and passive vacuum. The specimen was then positioned and periodically inflated with air during the polymerization process, using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) for curing. The results indicated successful anatomical preservation without structural collapse, achieving optimal handling and morphological stability of the plastinated specimen. This pioneering experience demonstrates the technical viability of room-temperature plastination at high altitude and represents a valuable contribution to the development of didactic anatomical resources within the Bolivian academic context.

Keywords

Plastination, Anatomical preservation, Hollow organs, Room temperature technique, High altitude

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