PRACTICE OF SURGEONS REGARDING EXAMINATION OF PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMENS IN OPERATING ROOM

Authors

  • Abdul Samad
  • Basant Kumar
  • Tariq Wahab Khanzada

Abstract

Background: The debate of routine versus selective submission of specimens for histopathologymakes it important to know the present practice of surgeons. The objective of this study was todetermine the proportion of general surgeons examining the gall bladder and appendix specimensin operating room before submission for histopathology. Methods: This questionnaire basedsurvey was conducted for the general surgeons working in the city of Hyderabad, Pakistan duringMay-June 2008. The data was entered and analysed in SPSS 11.0 software statistical program todetermine the impact of designation, hospital category and experience on the responses ofsurgeons. Results: Overall, 42 out of 47 qualified general surgeons working in Hyderabad,Pakistan responded the questionnaire. About 23.8% and 4.8% reported to be always examininggall bladder and appendix specimens respectively in operating room. About 66.7% and 40.5%reported to be submitting every gall bladder and appendix specimen respectively forhistopathology. Lack of practice and poverty were reported as the common causes of notexamining the specimen in operating room and not submitting every specimen for histopathologyrespectively. About 25.8% and 81.8% from public and private sector hospitals respectivelyreported to be submitting every appendix specimen for histopathology. About 88.2% and 52% ofsurgeons having experience of five years or less and experience of more than five yearsrespectively reported to be submitting every gall bladder specimen for histopathology.Conclusions: There is widespread variation in the practice of general surgeons regardingoperating room examination as well as submission of specimens for histopathology.Keywords: General surgeons, Macroscopic examination, Operating room, Histopathology

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Published

2009-12-01