[Histonet] Breast core biopsies, same day results by frozen sections

[Ford Royer]

WOW... have times changed(?).  In my day (1970s), the SOP was to do STAT
frozen sections on breast biopsies right in the surgery suite while the
patient was still under anesthesia.  The rationale was that if the biopsy
was positive, they could continue with the mastectomy while the pt. was
still under.  The feeling (that I was told at the time) was that it was too
dangerous to put the patient under general anesthesia twice; once for the
biopsy, and then again a few days later for the mastectomy.  

Of course back then, they felt that if you extracted all the patient's teeth
that it would cure their arthritis, and of course frontal lobotomies where
state of the art for those with schizophrenia.

~ Ford

Ford M. Royer, MT(ASCP)
Minnesota Medical Specialists, Inc.
7177 Madison Ave. W.
Golden Valley, MN 55427-3601
763-542-8725  phone
888-790-9686  toll free
763-546-4830  fax
<froyer <@t> bitstream.net>  email
<http://www.minnesotamedical.com>  web


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Charles.Embrey
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 8:17 AM
To: Galiotto, Laura; HISTONET <@t> LISTS.UTSOUTHWESTERN.EDU
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Breast core biopsies,same day results by frozen
sections

What a scary thought.  The first real question is: What would be the
benefit?  Are you going to do the lumpectomy or mastectomy immediately
following the frozen section result?  Fat is difficult to cut on frozen
and I shudder to think of all the wasted (and now non-diagnosable)
tissue you will incur trying to get an adequate section.  To me, a
frozen section is only of value if it will directly impact a surgical
decision that will result in immediate action.  The biopsy is a unique
specimen and even if you were to attempt to get more tissue you can't be
certain that it will yield the same result.  I can't see possibly
wasting it on an unnecessary frozen section.

Charles Embrey PA(ASCP)      

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Galiotto, Laura
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 7:40 AM
To: HISTONET <@t> LISTS.UTSOUTHWESTERN.EDU
Subject: [Histonet] Breast core biopsies, same day results by frozen
sections

Is there anyone performing same day results on breast biopsies by frozen
sections? If so please share the pros and cons. Has there been any false
negative results?

Laura Galiotto, HT (ASCP)
Histology Facilitator

Northwest Community Hospital 
800 West Central Road
Arlington Heights, Il 60005
847-618-6190

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