title: Learning curve for breast mass excision using a vacuum-assisted biopsy system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system (VAB) is an alternative modality to core needle biopsy for the diagnosis of breast lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients who underwent ultrasound-guided VAB procedures were analyzed. Patients were categorized into two groups: The first 20 consecutive patients as group A and the next 34 consecutive patients as group B.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two patients underwent excision, and two underwent biopsy only. Moving average curves showed a plateau phase for performing VAB procedures after the 20(th) patient. Total operation times of group B were significantly shorter than those of group A (p < 0.001). Complication rates in group B tended to be lower, and VAB probe position of group B tended to be better than that of group A, but these differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest the existence of a learning curve for ultrasound-guided VAB procedures. VAB procedures can be performed safely, even during the early learning period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chang Wan
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Jeon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods; D014618:Vacuum; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast neoplasms; learning curve; needle biopsy; operative surgical procedure; vacuum-assisted breast biopsy