Effective Methods to Prevent and Manage Significant Bleeding During Percutaneous Breast Procedures

Image-guided procedures are an essential part of the breast imaging continuum of care. As more procedures are performed in comprehensive breast imaging clinics, there are potentially more patients who may experience significant postprocedural bleeding. Most postprocedural bleeding can be managed with conservative measures such as compression. Occasionally, more invasive intravascular and surgical measures are required to stop hemorrhage. This article reviews preprocedural considerations, proper compression techniques, and methods to control superficial and deep bleeding. There is also a review of intraprocedural preventive measures that can be used to reduce the risk of significant postprocedural bleeding complications. Additionally, diagrams/step-by-step illustrations describing suture techniques and the Foley catheter method to decrease bleeding are presented. Because many breast procedures are performed in outpatient or satellite clinics without immediate access to surgeons, it is imperative that the entire breast imaging care team is familiar with effective methods to prevent and manage significant bleeding during percutaneous breast procedures.