The contribution of plastinates to teaching\rcomplex anatomy of the heart

Abstract

Objectives: The use of plastination can minimize health risks and cost in anatomy laboratories. Plastinates are easy to han-\rdle and can facilitate the learning of complex anatomical structures. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the contribution of\rplastinates to teaching complex anatomy of the heart.\rMethods: Standard S10 technique was used for heart plastination by fixation, dehydration, impregnation and curing stages.\rNinety volunteer first-year medicine students at Akdeniz University, who did not take cardiovascular system anatomy lectures\ryet, were included. Formalin-fixed heart specimens were used in the lecture of group 1, both formalin-fixed heart specimens\rand heart plastinates were used in the lecture of group 2. After the lecture, a 10-question exam was administered. Statistical\rsignificance between the scores of the two groups was tested with one sample t-test, and post hoc Tukey test was used for\rmultiple comparisons.\rResults: The pre-test scores of the groups were compared with the scores obtained after the 2 hours of lecture (p=0.002,\rp<0.05). The test scores of both groups increased significantly after the lecture (p<0.05). The post-test scores of group 2 wer e\rsignificantly higher than group 1 (p= 0.047, p<0.05). The average test scores of those trained with formalin-fixed specimens\rincreased from 23.78±1.94 to 48.22±3.19 (p<0.05). Students gave positive feedback about heart plastinates, and they stated\rthat their rising interest in the anatomy lecture due to the odourless, disinfected and reusable materials.\rConclusion: In conclusion, besides being cost-effective, healthy, long lasting and easy to maintain materials, plastinates are\ruseful tools to teach complex anatomical structure