Minimal-volume excision of nonpalpable breast lesions

To explore the value of accurate preoperative localization of occult breast lesions, we reviewed 100 consecutive needle-directed breast biopsies performed by the same surgeon over a 1-year period. A spring hookwire device for localization was inserted parallel to the chest wall. Two thirds of biopsies were performed under local anesthesia, and all were performed in an outpatient setting. Sixteen lesions were invasive carcinomas, and eight were ductal carcinomas in situ. In 96 lesions, the localizing wire was placed within 2 mm of the lesion, and in the remaining four it was within 5 mm of the abnormality. The mammographic lesion was excised in the first specimen in 96 cases. One patient required a second biopsy because of failure to excise the lesion in question after three specimens were taken. The only surgical complication was one hematoma, which resolved within 3 months. Median specimen volume for the entire series was 6.0 cm3. Median largest specimen diameter was 2.5 cm. Precise preoperative localization with a spring hookwire to within 2 mm of the mammographic lesion allows the surgeon to excise a median volume of 6 cm3 breast tissue with consistent retrieval of the lesion.