Domestic Microwave Versus Conventional Tissue Processing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Background: Microwave irradiation has been tried as a replacement for the conventional tissue processing technique in histopathology laboratories for quite some time. Studies have shown that Domestic Microwave Tissue Processing (DMWTP) provides a faster delivery of the tissue sections with a morphology which is similar to that which is seen Conventional Tissue Processing (CTP). But many laboratories still confine the domestic microwave tissue processing method only to the handle selected specimens, for which urgent reports are needed. One of the probable reasons is that, understanding about the number of tissue sections which can be processed using a microwave oven at a time, with the appropriate quality, still remains unclear. Aim:The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the optimum number of samples that a domestic microwave could process at a time, as well as to qualitatively analyze the morphological outcome of those tissue sections with that of conventional processing. Materials and Methods:This study was approved by the research and ethical committee of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital. A total of 135 paired tissue sections were included in the study. Ten tissue sections (which are mentioned hereafter as A10) were processed in a domestic microwave and their paired 10 tissues were processed by a conventional method. Subsequently, the number of tissues which was to be processed was increased to B15, C20, D25, E30 and F35, after ascertaining that the morphological qualities of the previously processed tissue sections were satisfactory. Sections of 4 µm thickness were taken and they were stained by the Haematoxylin and Eosin method. The slides of the tissues which were processed by the microwave method and the conventional method were randomly numbered, for a blind study, which were independently evaluated by two observers. The qualities of slides were assessed, based on 4 parameters: the cytoplasmic details, the nuclear details, the tissue architecture and the staining characteristics. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 15.0. Results:The morphological outcomes (quality) of the DMWTPs were comparable to that of the CTPs, when the sample load (quantity) in the microwave oven was up to 25 samples.

Changing perspective on tissue processing - comparison of microwave histoprocessing method with the conventional method

“…The two methods did not show signiicant variation in terms of overall quality, consistent with the observations of numerous authors such as Rohr, Morales, Mathai, Devi, Babu. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Complete concordance of opinion with regard to quality of the two methods was seen in an average of 90.42% cases. Majority of tissue sections were of excellent quality (Score-4).…”

The Effect of Rapid Tissue Processing on Fixation Time Using Microwave Techniques

“…Also, as observed in this study, it is recommended that the whole process should be monitored closely to avoid laboratory hazards that could be caused by the flammability of some reagents. Similarly, (Devi et al 2013), reported that plastics should be used for microwave irradiation, as metallic materials could cause the danger of explosion. About formalin fixation (Chaudhari, Chattopadhyay, and Dutta 2000), also recorded a satisfactory result of 80% cases.…”