David Sau Yan Wong1. 1. Division of Head & Neck/Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong Medical Center, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. sywong@ha.org.hk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Efficacy of frozen sections was assessed in terms of its various applications. The changing role of frozen sections in parotid surgery was examined. METHOD: Records of parotid operations over a 15-year period in a University Department of Head & Neck Surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 241 operations, frozen sections were performed on 32. Applications of frozen sections included diagnosis, margin clearance, and checking suspicious lymph nodes and nerve invasion. The false-positive rate for malignancy was 12.5%. Margins may still be involved despite correct tissue diagnosis from sampling error. No inappropriate surgery resulted from the information obtained. With the advent of fine-needle aspiration, frozen sections were less often called for and a shift from a diagnostic role to margin checking was seen. Frozen sections picked up all unsuspected malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Frozen sections are helpful when interpreted cautiously, but clinical assessment and fine-needle aspiration are also important components in the workup.
BACKGROUND: Efficacy of frozen sections was assessed in terms of its various applications. The changing role of frozen sections in parotid surgery was examined. METHOD: Records of parotid operations over a 15-year period in a University Department of Head & Neck Surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 241 operations, frozen sections were performed on 32. Applications of frozen sections included diagnosis, margin clearance, and checking suspicious lymph nodes and nerve invasion. The false-positive rate for malignancy was 12.5%. Margins may still be involved despite correct tissue diagnosis from sampling error. No inappropriate surgery resulted from the information obtained. With the advent of fine-needle aspiration, frozen sections were less often called for and a shift from a diagnostic role to margin checking was seen. Frozen sections picked up all unsuspected malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Frozen sections are helpful when interpreted cautiously, but clinical assessment and fine-needle aspiration are also important components in the workup.
Authors: Konstantinos Mantsopoulos; Zacharias Bessas; Matti Sievert; Sarina Katrin Müller; Michael Koch; Abbas Agaimy; Heinrich Iro Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-02-25 Impact factor: 4.241