[Histonet] Embedding W/WO Melted Paraffin

[Stapf, Ross]

At my former hospital and here the blocks are embedded "dry".  Biopsies
are found just fine.  On the hot plate any paraffin is melted so
confusing paraffin for a biopsy doesn't happen.   The exception is maybe
using paper instead of mesh cassettes, and then you just scrape
everything on the paper into the cassette with a scalpel.  I can't tell
you how many time techs have scraped the paper and didn't see anything,
but embedded the block anyway and there is something (and the correct
something) on the cut slide.

I think either way is fine.  It is a matter of what folks are used to.


Ross M Stapf
Histopathology Manager
Baylor University Medical Center
3500 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246
214-820-2465 
214-820-4110 fax
RossS <@t> baylorhealth.edu



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From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
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Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 9:37 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding W/WO Melted Paraffin


Hi, everyone:
In order to settle a difference of opinion between generations of
trained 
Histotechs in my lab, may I have feedback from anyone interested in
responding? Do you cover the blocks in melted paraffin in the embedding
centre reservior 
and hold them that way while embedding? or....
Do you dump them in the warm reservior "dry" (not covered in melted
paraffin) 
and embed them that way?
Do you consider this "dry" method as bad technique since a tiny biopsy 
specimen MAY not be noticed as the paraffin quickly solidifies? We have
a dispute.  I have researched every book I can find and there is no 
reference to it anywhere.  A newly trained tech that came to work for us
said 
no mention was made during her training period.  Some techs did...and
some 
didn't. As a tech of nearly 27 years, I find this practice to be just
asking for 
trouble.  I was trained to keep everything melted.  There seems to be
some 
argument against keeping the cassettes in the melted paraffin, claiming
it "cooks" 
the biopsies.  I don't buy it, but what are the opinions of others? It
seems so basic to me.  I hope this does not come across as frivilous.  
Thanks for your input.

Dannie Blake HT(ASCP)  Histology Lead Tech
Fresno Community Medical Centre
Fresno, California

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