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