Automated paraffin embedding of tissue samples significantly reduces overall workflow time in routine pathology practice

Abstract

Objective: Automated paraffin embedding (AE) offers a solution to the operator-dependent variability and time demands manual embedding (ME), but comparative data are limited.

Methods: We quantitatively assessed AE versus ME using 186 endoscopic biopsies, 106 needle biopsies, and 62 transurethral resections, recording the time (seconds, s) required for preparation, embedding, trimming, and sectioning.

Results: AE substantially reduced embedding time (5 s for all sample types) compared with ME (43 s for endoscopic biopsies, 66.5 s for needle biopsies, and 105 s for transurethral samples), and it allowed laboratory technicians to perform other tasks concurrently. AE also shortened total time: 150.2 s (AE) vs. 250.4 s (ME) for endoscopic biopsies, 176.9 s (AE) vs. 324.2 s (ME) for needle biopsies, and 149.5 s (AE) vs. 335 s (ME) for transurethral resections.

Conclusions: These real-world data provide quantitative evidence of AE-related time savings in daily routine activity, supporting its role in workflow automation and standardization in pathology units.

Keywords: automated embedding; histopathology automation; workflow optimization.