The anatomical technique of injection, dissection and colored segmentation of the venous system: Claude Gillot's coloring technique

Abstract

Injection of colored media remains pivotal for three‑dimensional appreciation of vascular anatomy since the pioneering work of Harvey, Ruysch and Swammerdam. Claude Gillot revived the approach for the study of the venous system by combining green‑latex infusion with post‑dissection vein painting ("colored segmentation") to enhance anatomical education. To detail Gillot's injection technique, evaluate its technical reliability, 400 fresh lower limbs (200 donors, mean age 75 years; Centre du Don des Corps, Paris) were irrigated with warm soapy water and injected via an ankle 19‑G butterfly into the great saphenous vein with filtered green latex (120-150 ml; 20 ml syringe; 20-30 kPa). Proximal femoral venous drainage prevented reflux. After 24 h polymerization the limbs were dissected; venous segments were painted according to a seven‑color palette. Patency, leakage and dissection time were recorded. Three exemplary specimens were photogrammetrically documented. Overall venous patency reached 93% with minimal segmental leakage (mean < 2 cm per limb). Dissection time per lower limb averaged ten hours. Gillot's colored‑segmentation protocol provides a vivid, dependable and inexpensive platform for teaching and research in venous anatomy. Its flexibility and compatibility with digital capture surpass many contemporary embalming or silicone‑based perfusion techniques. Future work should integrate three‑dimensional models into virtual‑reality curricula and quantify learning outcomes.

Keywords: Anatomical education; Cadaveric injection; Latex; Lower limb; Venous anatomy.

Fig. 1

A Approach of the great saphenous vein (Gvs) at the ankle & introduction of a butterfly. B Common femoral vein approach through a vertical incision. C Insertion of a plastic cannula into the left common femoral. D Plastic cannula (C) to drain out the washing fluid

Fig. 2

A The foot is irrigated with soapy water to remove the thrombi. B Filtered green latex is slowly injected through the saphenous catheter

Fig. 3

Skin ablation and dissection of the superficial plan of the leg with color codes used for dissections and drawings. 1 = GSV, 2 = Leg accessory of the GSV, 3 = Oblique communicating vein of the calf, 4 = Ankle PV, 5–6 = Lower PTVs, 7 = Higher PTV, 8 = Lower paratibial PV, 9 = Higher paratibial PV, 10 = Posterior PV of the calf, 11 = Central PV of the calf, 12 = SSV

Fig. 4

A Anatomical dissection of a left leg (lateral view). This unique final result by C. Gillot was possible only after having removed the fibular bone. Dorsal perforators of the ankle (6,7) give origin to the anterior tibial (1, in dark blue) and peroneal veins (2, in green) respectively 3 = posterior tibial veins (in light blue). 4 = Achillean tributary of the SSV 5 = SSV 8 = Ankle dorsal peroneal. Transverse deep communicating veins are displayed in red, connecting PTVs to peroneal veins (9,10) and peroneal veins to anterior tibial veins (11). A perforator (12) originated from the SSV, drains into the peroneal veins (2). B Medial anatomical/functional unit of the foot (dissection of a left foot, medial view). 1 = GSV initial segment over the medial malleolus, 2 = Achillean tributary of the small saphenous vein, 3 = medial marginal vein, 4 = posterior tibial veins, 5 = lateral plantar veins, 6 = medial plantar veins, 7 = inframalleolar PV, 8 = navicular PV, 9 = cuneiform PV, 10 = calcaneal PV. C Calf PVs and connections to gastrocnemius veins, soleal veins and SSV. 1 = popliteal vein, 2 = medial GV, 3 = medial common gastrocnemius venous trunk, 4 = SSV, 5–6 = soleal PVs, 7 = central calf PV, 8 = inferior, polar or Gillot´s calf PV 10 PT veins, 9 = peroneal veins, 11 = Lateral soleal veins, 12 = dorsal soleal vein