The Terry Rapid Razor Section Method for Intraoperative Diagnosis: Revival for Contemporary Application

Abstract

During and after World War I, Unna’s polychrome methylene blue, a supravital stain critical to the Mayo Clinic’s frozen section technique, became unavailable. Benjamin Taylor Terry (1876-1955) developed a replacement stain, and an intraoperative diagnostic method (rapid razor sections) that was arguably better, faster, and inexpensive compared with frozen sections. However, Terry’s contributions to the history of surgical pathology are largely unknown. But his efforts helped solidify the role of hospital-based pathology practice in North America. He played critical roles in stain development, popularization of intraoperative diagnostic techniques, and the institutionalization of hospital-based pathology. After thoroughly studying Terry’s life and the evolution of his methodology, his method was revived and adapted to a contemporary environment. Using a new sectioning device and modifications to his methodology, tissue sections were produced, stained, examined microscopically, and critiqued. Further research in perfecting diagnostic-worthy sections could provide a benefit to pathology laboratories in resource-limited countries.