Preanalytic determinants of surgical pathology practice in Uyo

Abstract

Context: The aim of this study is to evaluate the various determinants of the preanalytic phase of surgical pathology (SP) in Uyo. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study (prospective) of all SP specimens that were sent to the histopathology laboratory of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo. A special pro forma/questionnaire was designed taking into account the various determinants of the preanalytic phase of SP. Results: The request form had the patients' name and sex in all cases reviewed. In all but 3%, the age was stated while the hospital number and site of biopsy or tissue were stated in 89% and 95%, respectively. Only 49% of cases had an adequate history. In majority of cases, the examination findings (63%) and previous investigations (83%) were not stated. The provisional diagnosis was indicated in 92% of cases while the requesting/managing clinicians' name was indicated in 94% of cases. Seventy percent of the request forms were written on behalf of the consultant by the resident doctors. The fixative was adequate in 92% of cases and all specimens came in formalin (though it was of different concentrations). Majority (92%) of the specimens came in plastic containers, which was adequate (large enough) for the size of the specimen. The provisional diagnosis was same with the histological diagnosis in 66% of cases. Conclusion: An adequately filled request form well labeled adequate specimen container containing the right amount of fixative will positively affect the preanalytic stage of SP.

Keywords

• Preanalytic phase
• request form
• surgical pathology