[Histonet] VIP Routine tissue protocols

[Rene J Buesa]

Usually the so called "under-processing" has more to do with incomplete fixation than with the processing protocol itself.
Tissue specimens 2-3 mm thick require at least 32 hours to be cross-linked, i.e. properly fixed.
As to processing protocols, if the tissues are thin enough and properly fixed, you do not really need an extended protocol over that used with routine specimens, unless they contain large amounts of fat. By the way, those large amounts of fat, usually with almost no diagnostic values, can be trimmed before placing the specimens in the cassettes.
As to processing protocols, almost every lab has its own "ideal protocol" so you are better of by using any "general protocol" as it appears in any histotechnique book and try it. You can always "twink it" down to your needs after wards.
René J.


________________________________
From: Clare Thornton <CThornton <@t> dahlchase.com>
To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu> 
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2012 1:36 PM
Subject: [Histonet] VIP Routine tissue protocols

For those of you running VIP processors, what sort of protocol are you running your large routine tissue (i.e. breast, colon, uterus, placenta, etc.)?  Also, how long are your routine tissues fixing in formalin before going on the processor?  We are having issues with underprocessed tissue.  We would like to compare our current protocols with other labs also running VIP processors.

thank you, and have a great weekend!

Clare J. Thornton, HTL(ASCP), QIHC
Assistant Histology Supervisor
Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services
417 State Street, Suite 540
Bangor, ME 04401
cthornton <@t> dahlchase.com

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