RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Increased lymph node harvest from colorectal cancer resections using GEWF solution: a randomised study JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 1203 OP 1208 DO 10.1136/jcp.2008.060210 VO 61 IS 11 A1 Iversen, L H A1 Laurberg, S A1 Hagemann-Madsen, R A1 Dybdahl, H YR 2008 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/61/11/1203.abstract AB Background: The lymph node harvest from colorectal specimens is pivotal for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), independent of N stage.Aims: To determine whether the use of GEWF solution (glacial acetic acid, ethanol, distilled water and formaldehyde) could improve the lymph node harvest in CRC specimens.Methods: Consecutive fresh colonic (nā€Š=ā€Š60) and rectal (nā€Š=ā€Š60) specimens from patients with primary CRC resected at Aarhus University Hospital THG between March 2006 and July 2007 were randomised to either conventional preparation or GEWF preparation and examined in a standard manner.Results: For colonic as well as rectal specimens, the GEWF solution increased the mean lymph node harvest from 9 and 10 to 16 and 17 lymph nodes per specimen compared to conventional prepared specimens (p<0.001). Using the recommended threshold of 12 lymph nodes to ensure adequacy of nodal harvest, the adequacy increased from less than half to almost three quarters independent of tumour origin (p<0.037). The proportion of node-negative specimens was not significantly different between the two preparation groups.Conclusion: The use of GEWF solution in patients with CRC significantly increases the lymph node harvest of resected specimens.