Is frozen section effective for diagnosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although frozen section is recommended to prevent tumor dissemination following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for unsuspected gallbladder cancer, there are no reports concretely demonstrating its effectiveness and outcome.

METHODS:

Frozen section during LC was performed in 990 patients with gallstones. The sensitivity, specificity of frozen section, and false-negative cases were evaluated in comparison with postoperative entire cross sections.

RESULTS:

In frozen section, 983 cases were diagnosed as benign and 7 cases as malignant. Of the benign cases, cancer was discovered in 4 patients postoperatively in which frozen section was diagnosed as regenerative epithelial severe atypia. Sensitivity was 64% and specificity was 100%. Concerning the results of frozen section by p-TNM classification, cancer was diagnosed in 40% of Tis lesions, whereas it was found in 83% of T2 or T3 lesions.

CONCLUSION:

Frozen section is effective in cases with T2 or greater lesions for which conversion to radical surgery should be required.

• Authors: T Aoki, A Tsuchida, K Kasuya, K Inoue, H Saito, Y Koyanagi
• Journal: Surgical endoscopy (Surg Endosc) Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 197-200 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 1432-2218 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 11961639 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic (methods)
• Female
• Frozen Sections (methods, standards)
• Gallbladder Neoplasms (diagnosis, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sensitivity and Specificity