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Erschienen in:
01.02.2008 | Letter to the Editor
Tissue transfer to pathology labs: under vacuum is the safe alternative to formalin
Erschienen in: Virchows Archiv | Ausgabe 2/2008
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The time-honoured use of formalin, both as a preserver and fixative for histological processing is encountering increasing criticisms because of toxicity and environmental concerns. Moreover, the declaration recently issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer [1] which classified formaldehyde as a class 1 carcinogen has definitely increased the request by health authorities, technicians and practicing pathologists to reduce exposure. Such requests contrast with the considerable advantages offered by this safe, chip, reliable fixative. Although it should be acknowledged that in modern pathology laboratories, visitors are not any more met by the permeating flavour of a stingy scent because formalin processing is mostly carried out under aspiration hoods, a critical passage is still represented by the transfer of tissues from the surgical theatre to the pathology lab. Apart from the small biopsies, which are directly collected into pre-filled containers and cause no concern, problems are encountered with the immersion of large specimens and organs into large boxes to be filled with formalin. A list of such problems follows:
1.
Plastic containers are large and relatively heavy, while on occasion spilling may occur.
2.
Immersion into formalin prevents the collection of fresh material for tissue banking. Fixation starts, but only at the periphery. Discoloration occurs, while a delay in the transfer to pathology labs is somehow justified by the fact that ‘the tissue is already in formalin’.
3.
Nurses at the surgical theatre are becoming increasingly concerned for toxicity and cancerogenicity issues because the fluid has to be managed freely and not under hood.
4.
When the container arrives at the pathology lab, its opening, extraction of the specimen and reduction of the latter constitutes a major cause of diffusion of formaldehyde fumes.