title: Routine histologic examination of 728 mastectomy scars: did it benefit our patients?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Routine histologic examination of secondarily excised mastectomy scars is considered good practice, even though the microscopic detection of a metastasis in clinically unsuspected mastectomy scars is rare. Because cost-effective use of histologic services is required, the occurrence rate of metastases in such scars needs to be established to assess the possible benefit of such routine examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  The histologic observations on 728 clinically unsuspected scars from prophylactic (n = 151) or curative (n = 395) mastectomy or breast-conservation treatment in 424 patients were traced and correlated to the indication of initial breast surgery, possible adjuvant therapy, and time lapse between initial surgery and scar examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In none of the 728 scars was a scar metastasis or de novo tumor found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine histologic examination of clinically unsuspected scars excised at the time of breast reconstruction or scar correction after prophylactic or curative breast surgery did not benefit the authors' patients.
authors.affiliation: Amsterdam, The Netherlands From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital.
authors.forename: Leonie A E
authors.initials: LAE
authors.lastname: Woerdeman
authors.forename: Jan B J
authors.initials: JBJ
authors.lastname: Kortmann
authors.forename: J Joris
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors