Comparison of conventional tissue processing with microwave processing using commercially available and domestic microwaves

Abstract

Context: Microwave-accelerated tissue processing is believed to have brought a revolutionary improvement in the field of histopathology and histochemistry. This technique shortens the time for tissue processing from days to minutes. The technique fulfills the needs of the patient as well as those of the physician by improving the use of reagents while reducing or eliminating their toxicity, and places the laboratory in a better position to meet the demands of the surgeon. Aim: This study is being conducted to determine the efficacy of the microwave tissue processing method for orofacial biopsy specimens by comparing two different techniques of microwave histoprocessing with the conventional method, based on the clarity of nucleocytoplasmic differentiation and staining of tissues processed by each method . Materials and Methods: Twenty oral mucosal biopsy specimens were cut into three equal parts and each part was processed by three processing techniques. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed at the same time and grading was done by four oral pathologists . Statistical Analysis Used: The one-way ANOVA test using SPSS 17 was used in this study. Result: The parameters (color intensity, contrast, uniformity of staining, cytoplasmic and nuclear details) appeared slightly better in a commercial microwave, followed by the domestic microwave method and the routine method. The P values were statistically insignificant for all the parameters except color intensity . Conclusion: Microwaves can be used for tissue processing, which shortens the time for tissue processing without affecting the architecture of the cells and with increased intensity of staining.