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SOP templateMicrotomy SOP (Template)
A ready-to-adapt template you can tailor to your laboratory. Complete the highlighted fields and validate before use.
Purpose
To produce thin, complete, wrinkle-free sections that adhere to the slide and stain evenly, safely and reproducibly.
Scope
Applies to paraffin section microtomy on a rotary microtome, including floatation and slide pickup. Excludes cryostat/frozen sectioning.
Responsibility
- Histotechnician — sections blocks, mounts and dries slides, records issues.
- Senior technician — maintains blades/microtome, checks section quality.
- Pathologist / quality manager — approves this SOP and reviews recut rates.
Equipment & materials
- Rotary microtome, fresh microtome blades, cold plate/ice for chilling blocks
- Temperature-controlled floatation (water) bath, adhesive/charged slides, slide warmer/drier
Safety precautions
- Microtome blades are extremely sharp — engage the blade guard and lock the handwheel when not cutting.
- Handle blades with a blade dispenser; never wipe toward the edge.
Procedure
Prepare
- Chill the block on a cold plate/ice before cutting to improve section quality.
- Insert a fresh blade edge; set the correct clearance angle for the blade type; confirm block and knife clamps are tight.
Section
- Trim to expose full tissue, then cut ribbons at the set thickness. Section thickness: [lab to validate] (commonly a few microns for routine H&E).
- Float sections on the warm bath to relax and flatten. Bath temperature: [lab to validate] (just below the paraffin melting point).
- Pick sections up on adhesive/charged slides (for fatty/calcified/bloody tissue) and drain.
Dry
- Dry/warm slides adequately before staining to secure adhesion. Drying: [lab to validate].
Quality-control checkpoints
- Complete, flat sections without chatter, folds, tears or compression.
- Sections adhere through staining without lifting; even thickness.
Acceptance criteria
- Sections mount and stain without recuts; no recurring mechanical defects.
Common errors & corrective action
| Problem | Corrective action |
|---|---|
| Chatter (thick–thin bands) | Check for over-hard block, dull blade, loose clamps or wrong clearance angle; cool the block; review processing. |
| Compression / crowding | Chill the block; use a fresh blade edge; slow the cutting stroke. |
| Wrinkles / folds after floatation | Set the bath just below paraffin melting point; fix upstream compression. |
| Tissue lifts off during staining | Use adhesive/charged slides; increase drying/warming time. |
Records & documentation
- Microtomy / recut log
- Blade-change and microtome-service record
Review frequency
Review at least annually or after equipment service or a recurring defect.
Related equipment & guides
Author: Unimeditrek Technical Content Team · Reviewed by: Unimeditrek Biomedical Engineering & Histopathology Applications team · Last reviewed: July 2026.
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