Intraoperative Frozen Section
Rapid pathological examination of tissue samples during surgery to guide immediate surgical decisions.
Full Definition
Intraoperative frozen section is a critical tool in oncologic surgery that provides real-time pathological assessment while the patient remains under anesthesia. Fresh tissue specimens are rapidly frozen, sectioned, stained, and examined microscopically, typically within 15-20 minutes. This technique is commonly used to assess margin status, confirm tumor diagnosis, evaluate lymph nodes, or determine the extent of resection needed. While highly accurate, frozen section has limitations compared to permanent sections, including potential tissue artifacts and inability to perform certain specialized stains or molecular studies.
Usage
Usage note: Results should always be confirmed with final permanent section histopathology.
In Context
- "Intraoperative frozen section confirmed clear margins, allowing completion of the breast-conserving surgery." — operative report
- "The surgeon requested intraoperative frozen section of the sentinel lymph node to determine the need for axillary dissection." — pathology requisition