Abstract
Introductionopen excisional breast biopsy is a known modality for treatment of breast lumps especially in developing countries. Other sophisticated methods are available for management of breast lumps in more advanced nations. Our aim in this study was to review the outcome of open excision breast biopsies in our setting with a view to improving patient management.Methodsthis study was conducted at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, South East Nigeria among women who had excision breast biopsy between January 2015 and December 2016. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21.Resultsa total of 107 case folders were reviewed in this study. The mean age of the women was 27 ± 10 years. Overlying breast incision was the preferred route in 78(72.9%), periareolar incision in 28(26.2%), and Gillard Thomas's method (infero-lateral submammary sulcus incision) used in one patient with bilateral multiple breast lumps (0.9%). The complications recorded in this study were haematoma in 3(2.8%), wound infection in 5(4.7%) and wound breakdown in 1(0.9%). Hypertrophic scar was found in 2(1.8%) patients at follow-up. Overall, most patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome of their surgery.Conclusionopen excision breast biopsy is a useful modality for management of breast diseases in our setting. Complication rates are minimal. Both overlying and periareolar breast incisions results in aesthetically satisfactory scar in our practice. Inferior-lateral sub mammary sulcus skin incision is useful when the lumps are multiple and located at different quadrants of the breast. Appropriate use of drain helps to reduce the incidence of haematoma.
Highlights
Breast lump is a common source of worry to the affected woman
Conservative management of breast lumps may be appropriate if all components of the triple assessment test are negative and if there are no cosmetic concerns on the part of the patient
Size of breast lump ranged from 0.5-16cm in the widest diameter
Summary
Breast lump is a common source of worry to the affected woman. It is a common presentation to the surgical outpatient department. Excision breast biopsies for benign breast lesions appear more common than those for malignant lesions in our setting partly because most breast malignancies present at late stages when excisional biopsy is inappropriate. Excision breast lump biopsy is clearly indicated when the true nature of the mass is in doubt due to discordance in the triple assessment tests, as it offers opportunity for histological evaluation of the specimen. This allows for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the disease. Our aim in this study was to review the outcome of open excision breast biopsies in our setting with a view to improving patient management
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