Objective To explore the value of marking the excision margin and oriented embedding sectioning of cervical conization specimens in the diagnosis of cervical lesions.

Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on cervical conization specimens from the cancer hospital, chinese academy of medical sciences from August to September 2023. In the experimental group, basal excision margins of 10 cervical conization specimens (a total of 164 specimen blocks) were stained and marked, followed by oriented embedding and sectioning. Subsequently, a comprehensive evaluation was performed on these 164 hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining sections, focusing on the complete presentation of the squamocolumnar junction, and based on which, the integrity of the HE sections and the risk of lesion omission were assessed. In the control group, 10 cervical conization specimens (a total of 158 specimen blocks) were selected via convenience sampling, and their basal excision margins were stained and marked. None of the specimen blocks underwent oriented embedding or sectioning. The same evaluation criteria and methods as those used for the experimental group were applied to assess the 158 HE staining sections, evaluating the integrity of the HE staining sections and the occurrence of lesion omission.

Results Initial diagnosis was made for both groups under the same conditions, and serial sectioning was performed when necessary to assess lesion omission. In the control group, the rate of missing squamous epithelium and incomplete squamocolumnar junction was 50.0%; in the experimental group, it was 14.6%. The rate of clear excision margins was 68.4% in the control group and 93.9% in the experimental group. The experimental group had lower rates of lesion omission and incomplete sectioning and a higher proportion of sections with clear excision margins compared to the control group, with all differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The technique of staining and marking the excision marginsof cervical conization specimens combined with oriented embedding sectioning can significantly enhance the identification of cervical conization margins, clearly display lesions at the squamocolumnar junction, and facilitate a more accurate and standardized assessment of lesions. This standardized procedure can improve the accuracy of pathological diagnosis and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.