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.

CONCLUSION: 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.