Frozen Section Rotation

The goals of the frozen section rotation are to learn:

• Tissue selection for frozen sections
• Techniques in tissue sectioning and staining
• Diagnoses
• Appropriate tissue handling for special studies
• Limitations of frozen section interpretation

Almost all neoplastic and some non-neoplastic entities in all organ systems are encountered during the frozen section rotation. Neurologic frozen sections are done by the resident during the neuropathology rotation.

Residents are responsible for frozen sections in the Intraoperative Consultation Suite (IOC) from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, after which the night-call resident takes over. Physician assistants are available in the IOC to assist with frozen section staining and technical issues.

• Residents identify potential frozen sections from the operating room schedule the night before
• Prior surgical specimens and relevant imaging studies are reviewed and slides obtained for potential comparison
• Residents are available throughout the day for frozen sections, and are excused from select conferences