title: Skin punch biopsy sectioning: before or after tissue processing?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We intended to study whether there is a meaningful difference in microscopic examination between dividing a biopsy section into two equal parts before tissue processing (first method) or after (second method).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 400 cases were included in the study. Punch biopsies (PB) were cut into two pieces using the first method in 200 cases and just before paraffin embedding in another 200 cases using the second method. We microscopically evaluated the epidermal mesh view, the presence of a cross-cut hair follicle and bow shape because of epidermal angling, the presence of two pieces on the slide and if there was a difference of >2 mm between the parts, and the number of new sections and new slides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cross-cut hair follicle (p = 0.018), epidermal mesh view (p = 0.036), difference of >2 mm between the parts (p = 0.008), the number of new sections (p < 0.001) and new slides (p < 0.001) were considerably higher when the first method was used compared with the second method. The presence of two pieces was less (p < 0.001) when using the first method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We noted a meaningful difference in the quality of microscopic evaluation between the first and second methods. Better sections were obtained with the second method. In addition, the decrease in the number of new slides will reduce workload, archival work and cost.
authors: Department of Pathology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. nuransungu@gmail.com.
authors: Nuran
authors: N
authors: Sungu
authors: Department of Pathology, Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Sibel
authors: S
authors: Yavuz
authors: Department of Pathology, Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Seda
authors: S
authors: Marali
authors: Department of Pathology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Serdar
authors: S
authors: Balci
authors: Department of Pathology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Aydan
authors: A
authors: Kilicarslan
authors: Department of Pathology, Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Canan
authors: C
authors: Altunkaya
authors: Department of Pathology, Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Hayriye
authors: H
authors: Tatli Dogan
authors: Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Gülnur
authors: G
authors: Güler
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: dermatopathology; microscopy; punch biopsy formalin fixation; skin