A technique for preparing human dermal and scar specimens for scanning electron microscopy.
The aims in a current study of dermis and scar tissue using the scanning electron microscope are: (1) to maintain the orientation of the specimen, (2) to preserve the in vivo architecture, and (3) to expose a satisfactory surface. A technique which best fulfils these requirements involves glutaraldehyde fixation of a splinted specimen, freeze-fracturing using a modified pair of pliers, freeze-drying again after washing. Consistently satisfactory specimens have been obtained, which provide information about fibre architecture and cell distribution.
D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005614:Freeze Fracturing / Q000295:instrumentation; D005976:Glutaral; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D003094:Collagen; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D005976:Glutaral