Complications of percutaneous stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy system utilizing radio frequency.
OBJECTIVE
The Breast Lesion Excision System (BLES) is a novel, automatic breast biopsy device that utilizes radiofrequency to excise suspicious non-palpable mammographic lesions. The purpose of the present prospective study is to report and evaluate the complications of this new technique.


METHODS
In a two year period, we used the BLES device in 132 consecutive patients (134 procedures) with non-palpable mammographic lesions. The inclusion criteria consisted of suspicious microcalcifications, solid lesions and asymmetric density. In order to retrieve an intact biopsy specimen, we used the 12mm, 15mm or 20mm tissue basket under local anesthesia, depending on the size of the lesion. Complications were recorded and classified as immediate if occurring during or shortly after the procedure, or late, if occurring in the post-procedure days.


RESULTS
The procedure was considered successful in all cases, with mammographic confirmation of appropriate excision of the targeted lesion. Although, in a single case the basket initially failed to deploy. Immediate complications were encountered in 11 patients, with minor hemorrhage being the most common (n=6). 17 patients suffered late complications, in seven of whom delayed wound healing was observed. Overall, 27 patients suffered Grade 1 complications (20.14%), one patient experienced a Grade 2 complication while no patients encountered Grade 3-5 complications.


CONCLUSIONS
According to our experience, the BLES device is an efficient and safe breast biopsy method, with low complication rates, which are minor in their majority. It appears to be a very promising alternative to other, minimally invasive, breast biopsy techniques.
Breast Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Hippokratio Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. harethee@gmail.com
Wasim
W
Al-Harethee
George
G
Theodoropoulos
Georgios Michael
GM
Filippakis
Ioannis
I
Papapanagiotou
Maria
M
Matiatou
Georgia
G
Georgiou
Vasileios
V
Kalles
Dimitra
D
Koulocheri
Afroditi
A
Nonni
Manousos M
MM
Konstadoulakis
Andreas
A
Manouras
George C
GC
Zografos
D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D011846:Radio Waves; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D014618:Vacuum