Hello Hamdia,

Saccomanno's Fixative is an excellent pre-fixative for cytology specimens and the fixative of choice for collecting and fixing sputum specimens for cytology. This fixative in in fact, one of the most widely used fixatives in cytology that is recommended for cytology specimens such as sputums, urine, FNA'S, bronchial washings, pleural and peritoneal fluids, and ThinPrep™ preparations. The formula is accessable at the website indicated below:

Saccomanno's fixative is 50% ethyl alcohol which contains approximately 2% of Carbowax 1540 (Union Carbide Corporation, UCAR). Carbowax 1540 is solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 43 to 46 C. To avoid having to melt it whenever the fixative is prepared, a stock solution can be prepared by melting Carbowax (melted in an incubator or hot air oven at 50 to 100 C) and adding it to an equal volume of water or 50% ethyl alcohol. The mixture will not solidify. Saccomanno's fixative can then be prepared with 430 mL of water, 530 mL of 95% ethanol, and 40 mL of the stock Carbowax solution. Some light green SF or fast green FCF can be added to color the fixative. Koss warns that the denaturants in reagent alcohol may cause excessive hardening of mucus.

ref: Histology FAQ

Staining, Histochemistry and Histotechnology

(Frequently Asked Questions)

Dr. John A. Kiernan Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology The University of Western Ontario London, Canada

http://www.ihcworld.com/_faq/histology-faq/fixation/f12.htm

With best regards,

ROWEN T. YOLO, M.D.

Dept of Pathology

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

University of Santo Tomas

Manila,Philippines