Cavity Fluids also Supplemental fluids Special purpose fluids

Cavity Fluids

alsoSupplemental fluids

Special purpose fluids

Cavity Fluids

primary (main) purpose• use for visceral preservation in cavities

also for• hypodermic injection• external packs

Characteristics

• should be quick acting• have low surface tension• preserve and disinfect the internal (solid and

hollow) organs with a minimum quantity of fluid

• should be stringent

• Intended to be used UNDILUTED

Characteristics

• emphasis on preserving agents because they are directly applied with trocar (cannula)

• therefore, you do not have the problems associated with arterial distribution.

Composition

• Preservatives• Germicides• Vehicles• others

Preservatives

• HCHO most common (& cheap!!!!)

• aldehydes and dialdehydes• alcohols• phenols

for penetrating qualities (common in more expensive fluids.)

• inorganic salts• combinations

Germicides

Remember: preservatives normally act as germicides, too; these components often added esp. for germicidal effect

• Phenols• Quaternary Ammonium compounds• Dialdehydes

Note multiple purposes

Others

• Tanning agents (must make contact with tissue to work)

• Penetrants • Perfumes / odor suppressors

Vehicles

• water

• alcohols• other organic solvents

Both primarily to keep other components in solution

Supplemental fluids

• Pre-injection• Co-injection

Primary Injection Fluids (pre-injection)

• used in advance of a vascular injection of arterial fluids

• formulation is usually much simpler than arterial fluids

Purpose

• insure good removal of the blood

• provide the best distribution of arterial fluids.

Co-injection fluids

• modify / balance arterial fluid • primarily humectants and HCHO control

chemicals.

• Note: it is possible to get more dehydration with 1% HCHO solution than with a 5% solution with a good co-injection.

Co-injection

• composition - basically the same as pre- injection fluids but maybe in different proportions.

• It never hurts to use a co-injection and you can get good results avoiding some of the problems of the pre-injection.

Humectants

• Create an increased capability for embalmed tissues to retain their moisture.

• (referred to as HYDROSCOPIC i.e. seek water).

Humectants

• described as having a coating action to wrap around the HCHO & prevent contact with protein until tissues are thoroughly saturated

• Result?tissues often more flexible / ‘rubbery’

Humectants

• Especially valuable when body predisposed to dehydration

Humectant examples

• AlcoholsPolyhydroxy / trihydroxy / dihydroxy

• Oils• Gums

Alcohols

Polyhydroxy alcohols C6H8(OH)6

• Sorbitol • Mannitol• Dulcitol

• Sorbitol loses its water at slower rate, so is more effective than many others

more alcohol examples

• Trihydroxy alcohols

Glycerol or Glycerine C3H5(OH)3

• helps prevent overdrying of tissue• enhances germicidal power of other chemicals• is a humectant and solvent

more alcohol examples

• Dihydroxy alcohols (i.e. Glycols)

propylene glycol (is also a mold inhibitor)

ethylene glycol (antifreeze)

Oils

• Lanolin aka "wool grease" or "lambs feet"

• Oleates = natural unsaturated fatty acids

• Mineral oils = refined petroleum oil (i.e. laxatives)

• - not water soluble, but can be readily dispersed in proper concentrations-help mitigate drying effect of preservatives

Gums

• add after initial injection when surface discolorations are cleared

• will aid in retaining moisture and fill out emaciated looking tissue

• Names?Karaya & Tragacanth

Buffers

• Chemicals which effect a stabilization of the acid-base balance within embalming solutions and in embalmed tissues;

• they control pH

Why buffers?

• highly acidic conditions speed the polymerization of HCHO

• strong basic solutions cause the decomp of HCHO

(decomp of HCHO is called Cannizzaro reaction)

Buffers help to modify / control

More reasons for buffers

• slightly acidic conditions result in more fixation &more putty gray color of tissue

• slightly alkaline conditions result in better tissue color &

enhanced action of dyes

BUFFERS

• resist changes in pH• most arterials are buffered to

7.2 - 7.4

Examples

• Borax • Sodium phosphates• Citrates• EDTA

Borax

• Sodium Tetraborate Na2(B4O4)

• the most efficient stabilizer of HCHOkeeps it stable for 2+ years

Special Purpose Fluids

• Jaundice• Edema• High Index / extra firming• Tissue Gas

remember

• Methanal = HCHO

Go to special purpose products