In:
British Journal of Dermatology, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 188, No. Supplement_4 ( 2023-06-26)
Abstract:
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) relies on good-quality, well-stained frozen sections for effective histological analysis. Slides should also be produced as quickly as possible. Automation of complementary devices in the laboratory ensures standardization and efficiency and improves the overall quality of performance. Our study evaluated the efficiency and performance of the Autostainer-XL (Leica) vs. the Linistat (Thermo Scientific) slide stainer within a busy MMS unit. The Autostainer-XL rapidly dries, loads and unloads slides automatically allowing the Mohs-trained biomedical scientist (BMS) to work in parallel on cryotomy. The Autostainer-XL stains slides with haematoxylin and eosin within 10 min and 50 s. In comparison, the Linistat was much slower and required the Mohs-trained BMS to fix the slides manually on a hotplate, place them in industrial methylated spirit, wash them in water and load individual slides into the Linistat, taking 16 min and 45 s to complete the staining process. Two blinded assessors retrospectively reviewed the same set of 50 Linistat-stained and 50 Autostainer-XL stained frozen section slides for consistency in staining. The scoring criteria were based on the modified UK National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) Cellular Pathology Technique Mohs scheme assessment criteria. Each assessor allocated scores between 1 and 5 based on the scoring criteria. The mean quality scores were significantly higher for the Autostainer-XL compared with the Linistat (P & lt; 0.05). In our MMS unit, up to 12 patients undergo MMS daily with an average of seven slides required per patient at the first stage, leading to a high processing burden within the Mohs laboratory, particularly at the first stage. The Autostainer-XL increased productivity, with the ability to load 30 slides per rack, while the Linistat was only able to load six slides per rack. In practice, within our MMS unit, the Autostainer-XL reduced the time taken to produce all slides at the first layer by more than 1 h when compared with the Linistat slide stainer. When surveyed, 100% (n = 8/8) of Mohs-trained BMS in the laboratory preferred the Autostainer-XL than the Linistat, with comments suggesting that it was easy to use, quick, precise and an important device that can withstand the demands of a busy Mohs laboratory. The Autostainer-XL offers improved efficiency and performance, with reduced staining times, an ability to process a larger number of slides and fully customisable automation when compared with the Linistat (Thermo Scientific) slide stainer.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0007-0963
,
1365-2133
DOI:
10.1093/bjd/ljad113.262
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2004086-6
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