A new method for the prevention of skin laceration during vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a new technique to prevent skin laceration during ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy with the insertion of a spinal needle between the mass and the skin.


METHODS
The study includes 118 patients with 118 breast imaging-reporting and data system Category 3 masses located very close to the skin or areola, which were excised using the mammotome system with a spinal needle inserted just above the site of insertion of the probe.


RESULTS
The mean distance between the most superficial portion of the mass to the under surface of the overlying skin was 1.3 ± 0.4 mm. The average procedure time was 13.5 ± 4.2 min. A complete excision was achieved in 100% of the cases, and the procedure was well tolerated by all the patients. No patient experienced serious adverse events such as a skin laceration.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to prevent skin laceration during vacuum assisted breast biopsy. Advances in knowledge: The method described in this study is simple, safe and well tolerated by patients.
Department of Radiology, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical University Hospital, El Palmar (Murcia), Spain.
Juan de D
JD
Berná-Serna
Department of Radiology, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical University Hospital, El Palmar (Murcia), Spain.
Florentina
F
Guzmán-Aroca
Department of Radiology, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical University Hospital, El Palmar (Murcia), Spain.
Juan de D
JD
Berná-Mestre
Department of Radiology, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical University Hospital, El Palmar (Murcia), Spain.
Dolores
D
Hernández-Gómez
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D022125:Lacerations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D014618:Vacuum; D055815:Young Adult