Microwave-Based Rapid Tissue Processing Technique: A Novel Aid in Histopathologic Laboratory

INTRODUCTION: Conventional tissue processing takes a lot of time, but microwave processing method though rapid, its quality of tissue texture and staining properties is still questionable. Therefore, we conducted this study to find out the reliability of histological sections in the microwave method. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim is to assess whether microwave tissue processing, which is a rapid technique, is comparable to conventional tissue processing in terms of quality and reliability of histological sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 formalin-fixed tissue samples were taken and were divided into two pieces. One subjected to conventional tissue processing and the other subjected to microwave tissue processing. The slides were coded and evaluated by three independent observers using various parameters. All the data were subjected to Chi-square test. RESULTS: Both the process did not differ in their efficiency in overall nuclear details, overall cytoplasmic detail, occurrence of artifact and tissue architecture, nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining, and red blood cell staining. Although the other observers did not find any statistical significance, according to observer 3, conventional processing proved to have marginally significantly better epithelial connective tissue interface than microwave processing (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The microwave method of tissue processing is an economical procedure which reduces the obnoxious chemicals as well as the turnaround time.