------ Forwarded Message
From: John McClure <JMCCLURE@mn.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 18:49:54 -0600
To: <DRitter@stmarygj.com>
Subject: Re: Breast Tissue Fixation

> Would like to know if anyone out there uses a type of pre-fixative for
> fatty breast tissue before putting it in formalin on the processor?
> Sometimes our breast tissues even though they have been in formalin all
> week-end on the processor still cut lousy on Monday morn. Any info would
> be appreciated!
> 
> Debra Ritter
> St.Marys Hosp. Histo Lab
> Grand Junction, Co
> 
We have used both Davidson's Fixative ( I believe that the Samurai
pathologist has a recipe on his web page) or the commercially available
Dissectaid.is a commercial product that seems similar.  Both have formalin,
alcohol, and acetic acid.   They both do a nice job of fixing marking ink to
the surface of the specimen as well as firming up the fat.  I think that the
most important contribution of these fixatives is to make it easier to cut
appropriately thin sections.

John McClure
Pathologist, Hospital Pathology Associates
Fridley, MN

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