Anti-Shrinkage Technique for Feline Skin Samples

Abstract

Surgical resection of subcutaneous neoplasms with clear margins is crucial for preventing local recurrence and avoiding adjuvant treatments. However, the evaluation of surgical margins often differs significantly from the histopathological assessment due to tissue shrinkage, which can result in inaccurate therapeutic assessments and unreliable patient prognoses. In this study, ten feline cadavers were utilized. Six 50 mm diameter specimens were collected from three regions (thorax, flank, femur) and measured at three time points: T0 (excision time), T1 (10 min after incision), and T2 (at least 48 h after sample collection and formalin fixation). Samples in the study group were stretched and fixed on a cork plate with pinpoint needles after excision to restore their original dimensions. All specimens exhibited a similar trend. After 48 h of formalin fixation, the control specimens showed significant shrinkage, with a reduction of 25.73% in radius and 26.32% in diameter. In contrast, the study specimens demonstrated minimal changes, with a radius reduction of −0.28% and no change in diameter. The results indicate that all feline skin specimens experienced significant shrinkage of approximately one-quarter from their pre-incisional size. Stretching and pinning the excised tissues allowed for the restoration and maintenance of original dimensions even after formalin fixation. This technique represents a valid and practical approach to minimize tissue shrinkage.

Keywords

• skin shrinkage
• surgical margins evaluation
• fixation technique