This instructional video details the standardized procedure for tissue banking a prostate specimen following surgical removal. The process emphasizes correct anatomical orientation (identifying the base, apex, anterior, and posterior surfaces using the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and urethra) before sectioning. The prostate is partially cut ("butterflied") along the posterior aspect to visually assess for tumor and normal tissue, prioritizing samples from the peripheral zones. Selected tumor and normal tissue are divided into four segments each and processed using a dual method: pieces 1 and 3 are cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (in tubes) for research, while pieces 2 and 4 are fixed in formalin (in cassettes) for routine histology. The tops of the seminal vesicles are also collected and frozen. Crucially, the remaining prostate gland is meticulously reconstructed using super glue along the cut surfaces to ensure accurate assessment of surgical margins during subsequent routine gross examination.
Prostate Tissue Banking Procedure
0:11 Introduction and Orientation: The video details the proper technique for tissue banking a prostate. The first and most difficult step is correct orientation, identifying the base (site of bladder removal) and apex.
0:42 Anatomical Landmarks: The posterior base is marked by the presence of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles (right and left). A probe inserted through the prostatic urethra confirms the anterior/posterior and right/left axes.
1:29 Tumor Assessment and Sampling: The prostate is sectioned posteriorly (but not all the way through) to "butterfly" it open and identify potential tumor sites.
2:17 Tissue Selection: Tumor tissue is identified (e.g., yellow granulation) and samples should preferentially be taken from the peripheral zones rather than the transitional zones, as cancer is more likely to be found on the periphery.
2:27 Sampling Technique: Small sections of both the identified tumor tissue and normal (pink, fleshy) tissue are shaved off. It is critical to avoid cutting through the outer margin, which must be preserved for later margin assessment.
3:13 Dual Processing (Normal Tissue): Both the normal and tumor samples are cut into four equal pieces. The pieces are assigned to two different preservation methods:
Tubes (PN1, PN3, etc.): Pieces 1 and 3 go into tubes and are placed in liquid nitrogen (for freezing/research).
Cassettes (PN2, PN4, etc.): Pieces 2 and 4 go into cassettes and are placed in formalin for standard histological processing.
4:58 Seminal Vesicle Collection: The tops of the seminal vesicles are also removed and placed in a separate tube for liquid nitrogen freezing (PSV).
5:36 Prostate Reconstruction (Key Takeaway): The final, essential step involves drying the cut surfaces of the remaining prostate and using super glue (cyanoacrylate) to meticulously seal and reconstruct the gland. This ensures that the original surgical margins are intact and preserved for accurate gross sectioning and assessment the following day.