Which procedure allows for a sample to be taken quickly during surgery?

The procedure that allows for a sample to be taken quickly during surgery is the frozen section. During a frozen section, a small piece of tissue is removed and immediately frozen, allowing for rapid examination under a microscope. This process is typically performed in the operating room, providing results within a short period, often around 20 minutes. Surgeons use this information to make immediate decisions regarding the surgical approach or to confirm diagnoses while the patient is still under anesthesia.

In contrast, core needle biopsy and fine needle aspiration are typically performed prior to surgery, as they involve obtaining tissue samples less urgently. These methods may provide valuable information, but they do not facilitate immediate in-surgery decision-making like frozen sections do. An excisional biopsy involves the surgical removal of an entire lump or suspicious area for analysis, but this does not allow for immediate feedback during the procedure.