An innovative new procedure that removes benign breast lumps without the need for open surgery or general anaesthetic has been introduced at Mitcham Private Hospital.
The procedure – believed to bea first in Victoria – is called vacuum assisted excision (VAE). It uses a small needle under ultrasound guidance to ‘suck’ the breast lesion out through a tiny stab incision.
It can be performed in an outpatient setting and is suitable for the removal of non-cancerous lumps such as fibroadenoma and recurrent cysts up to 2.5cm.
It is also useful in establishing diagnosis of indeterminant breast lumps by combining needle biopsy and excision into a one-step keyhole procedure.
Traditionally, breast lumps are removed under general anaesthetic with an ‘open’ incision large enough to remove the mass. VAE is performed using local anaesthetic and light sedation if required.
Breast and endocrine surgeon, Mr Michael Law, has introduced the procedure at Ramsay Health Care’s Mitcham Private Hospital.
VAE is commonly used in Asia and America but hasn’t been widely used in Australia.
“Vacuum assisted breast biopsy is a one step process that means patients don’t need to have a biopsy and then return to have a lesion removed in theatre,” he said.
“The procedure results in a 3-4 mm ‘stab’ incision scar rather than an open incision that requires multiple stitches. This may result in a faster recovery time, less scaring and a reduced need for pain killers.”
“The tissue is still taken for analysis like with a normal needle biopsy, but the difference is the entire lesion is removed, increasing the accuracy of diagnosis.”
The VAE keyhole excision takes about 15 minutes.
“This can be an excellent alternative to surgery for the removal of small, benign breast lumps,” said Mr Law.
“No one wants to have a general anaesthetic in theatre if they don’t have to, and it’s reassuring to patients this can be done in an outpatient setting or with minimal sedation.”
