[Histonet] Sections

[Jay Lundgren]

    I've worked places where they've used all kinds of leveling methods,
specifying number of microns between levels, etc.  I cut exactly whatever
the pathologist wants me to cut.  I've traveled for 16 years now.  Think
about some of the wacky crap I've seen.
    A GOOD histotech, in my humble opinion, ( assuming a new, state of the
art mirotome, new disposable blade, cold, rough cut, hydrated blocks)
should be able to lay out a 21 section 3um ribbon of a GI bx longways on
the water bath in one go.
    Said histotech  would always  ignore the first and last sections of
said 21 section ribbon (one is touching the waterbath, and the terminal one
touched the forceps/stick/finger/etc) and pick up the 2nd/3rd, 12th/13th,
and 19th/20th sections. This is 3 levels.
     A BAD histotech will lay out a six section ribbon, take six sections
(and a floater),  and call it 3 levels.
     Make absolutely sure that you are rough cutting into the block
adequately to provide a full face section.  Most of your recuts will come
from under-faced blocks.   But try to cut and float nice LOOOOOOONG ribbons
to pick up your sections from and you will get nicer sections and less
recuts.  What takes time cutting (traditional) levels is the refacing and
recooling/rehydration of the block.
 If you can get true levels off of one long ribbon (not 6 adjacent
sections), and not increase recuts as a result, you win twice. So does the
patient. :)

                                     Sincerely,

                                           Jay A. Lundgren, M.S., HTL (ASCP)










On Tue, Jul 23, 2013 at 2:04 PM, Tony Auge <tony.auge <@t> gmail.com> wrote:

> We cut the way your Pathologist is requesting at my lab, it's simpler and
> faster then the way you are currently cutting. I was used to cutting the
> way you described but this way is much easier. Check with your other
> Pathologists that they will be ok with the switch. I have certain
> Pathologist that will order more deepers because they want to see more of
> the block. It will speed up cutting in the first place but may take more
> time to cut deepers later in the day.
> --
>
> Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC
> Cell: (651) 373-4768
> Email: tony.auge <@t> gmail.com
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