A minimally invasive breast biopsy clinic: an innovative way to teach breast fellows how to perform breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures.
BACKGROUND
The ability to perform breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures are increasingly important skills for breast surgeons. Breast fellowship programs must develop programs to ensure adequate ultrasound training for breast fellows.


METHODS
A Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Clinic was established at the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center to provide breast fellows with comprehensive, hands-on, "live-patient" breast ultrasound training.


RESULTS
From December 2004 though February 2005, 5 breast fellows received training in the Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Clinic. Each fellow received a minimum of 18 weeks of "live-patient" experience. Although the learning curve varied among the fellows, all showed proficiency in performing breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided core biopsies by the 12th week. A total of 39 patients with fibroadenomas underwent 62 ultrasound-guided procedures, including 30 vacuum-assisted percutaneous excisions, 16 cryoablations, and 16 core biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
The Minimally Invasive Breast Clinic model provided breast fellows with sufficient "live-patient" experience to enable confident performance of breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures. The selection of patients with fibroadenomas facilitated safe and efficient training without interfering with the management of cancer patients.
Holmes
Dennis R
DR
Division of Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Kenneth Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. dholmes@usc.edu
Silverstein
Melvin J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000193:education; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000193:education; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D014618:Vacuum