Endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery for early breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic surgery is reportedly associated with smaller scars and greater patient satisfaction. Herein we evaluate the early results of endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery(E-BCS).


METHODS
Between May 2009 and October 2010, 61 women with breast cancer underwent E-BCS. We performed E-BCS on patients with tumors measuring less than 2 cm, without skin or pectoralis muscles invasion. Any patients with microcalcified lesions or axillary lymph node metastasis were excluded. We used an endoscopic vein retractor to dissect the dorsal layer of the mammary gland from a small axillar incision. We dissected the subcutaneous layer and cut the mammary gland vertically from a periareolar incision. We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics, the surgical outcomes, and early cosmetic results.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 58.5 years, and the mean tumor size was 1.4 cm. Sentinel node biopsy was positive in seven patients, all of whom underwent axillary node dissection. An additional intraoperative resection of the breast was performed in 12 patients. The mean length of the operation was 167 min, and the mean blood loss was 27 mL. Eight patients received a boost to the tumor bed. The cosmetic results were satisfactory, and the wound scar was inconspicuous in most patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Herein we demonstrate that E-BCS is a feasible and safe procedure for patients with early breast cancer. It allows for a better cosmetic scar location and offers patients favorable aesthetic results in the short-term follow-up results.
Department of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan. msaimura@med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Michiyo
M
Saimura
Shoshu
S
Mitsuyama
Keisei
K
Anan
Kenichiro
K
Koga
Masato
M
Watanabe
Minoru
M
Ono
Satoshi
S
Toyoshima
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Breast-conserving surgery; early breast cancer; endoscopy-assisted surgery