[25 years of pathology at Neuchâtel]

The article introduces the Neuchâtel Institute of Pathology (INAP) which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1991. The institute is organised according to the statutes of a private foundation, the State of Neuchâtel covering the excess running costs. The task of INAP is fulfilled by its services of clinical pathology which have evolved differently according to each sector. The autopsies reached their peak in 1979, a progressive decline in number is noted since then. The biopsies have increased regularly, especially since 1985. The service of cytopathology has had an irregular development and is actually in full expansion. The article then shows the solutions that INAP has found in the technical and medical fields. The role of medical informatics, introduced in 1983, is pointed out. In conclusion, we discuss the current and future questions of our discipline and their possible solutions in an institution such as ours.