Detergent Maceration: A Convenient Skeleton Preparation Technique for Teaching and Demonstration of Veterinary Anatomy

The current study investigates to develop a convenient technique for preparation of a dog skeleton without any unpleasant smell, cracking, crumbling or discoloration of bones by using a combination of commercially available detergent and Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Specimens were skinned and immersed in a pre-heated 10-liter detergent solution at 50°C to 60°C for 2-3 hours then left for 12 hours. Maceration was deemed completed when any remaining soft tissue was easily removed under running tap water or by soft brush. Then the bones were kept for bleaching with 3% H2O2 for 24-48 hours and allowed to dry properly in the sun. It is shown that the detergent maceration was remarkably faster compared to the traditional burial, insect, hot or cool-water methods, which requires up to several days. In this entire process, skeletons were prepared and installed in correct conformation in only about 92 hours (less than four days). In contrast, the whole maceration was completed in 15 hours (boiling and cooling). On the other hand, the longest time was taken for bleaching and drying purposes, which were 2 days, respectively. The method investigated here for the preparation of skeletal materials in an essentially odorless way, which has shown to be more convenient (faster, easier, safer, and cheaper) compare to previous models in the fields of veterinary anatomy. We believe this project's result will help improve the preparation and preservation technique of skeletons for gross anatomical studies in veterinary institutions.