Artefacts produced by suture traction during incisional biopsy of oral lesions

The aim of this study is to compare the artefacts ascribed to the technique of incisional biopsy using a punch or scalpel and the influence of suture use for traction and delivery of the specimen. A total of 160 samples were obtained from 10 fresh pig tongues by four experienced oral surgeons. Handling artefacts (squeeze artefacts): crush, splits, fragmentation and pseudocysts were assessed. No differences were identified in terms of crush, fragmentation or pseudocysts between samples obtained with a punch or scalpel. Splits were more frequent in those biopsies taken with a scalpel (chi2 = 9.26; P= 0.0023). Artefacts in the punch biopsy group were significantly less than in the group that combined punch and suture traction (P < 0.01). The scalpel and suture traction group showed significantly more artefacts than the group without suture. It is concluded the use of a stitch for traction in small incisional biopsies causes squeeze artefacts, so its use should be restricted to specimen orientation.