Write a commentThe Southern Trust’s Breast Cancer Team has introduced a new non-surgical alternative to removing unspecified breast lesions.
Previously patients with a particular type of breast lesion, known as ‘B3’ had to undergo open surgery, under general anaesthetic for it to be removed and diagnosed.
The team has now replaced this surgical diagnostic biopsy with a much less invasive procedure, performed by Radiologists.
Southern Trust was the first in Northern Ireland to introduce ‘Vacuum Assisted Excision’ which takes just 20 minutes under local anaesthetic. So far 30 patients have undergone the procedure as Consultant Radiologist for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Dr Linda Johnston explains:
“Our pathology, surgical and radiology teams have worked really hard to introduce this new procedure which is improving patient safety, making better use of our resources and enhancing overall experience of those with low risk breast lesions.
“While we are removing the risks associated with surgery and general anaesthetic for this group of patients, we are also freeing up surgeon time and theatre space for other procedures which really do need that environment.
“It is a much more relaxed experience for patients, they have a much smaller wound and do not require a hospital admission.
“Most importantly, the procedure is achieving great results, with 95% of patients thankfully avoiding surgery and requiring no further follow-up from the breast cancer team.”
