P062. The use of radiofrequency tag localization of impalpable breast cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) Tags are new devices used to localize breast lesions for surgery. During the Covid-19 Pandemic these offered the flexibility to be inserted days or weeks before surgery, making the logistics of planning theatres lists much easier especially when most of our breast cancer surgery was moved off site. Materials and Methods: In the 7 weeks following the lockdown in the UK, we reviewed all the planned admissions for breast surgery looking at the types of surgery offered, type of localization used and assessed who wouldn't have had their surgery if RF tags were not available locally. Results: Out of 85 planned admission, 83 had surgery, 11 were for re-excision of margins and 72 for their first breast surgery excision (mastectomy or breast conservation). Out of the 54 that had BCS, 40 needed localization, out of these 27 had RF tags. Looking at theatre order list and the site that surgery was performed, 20 out of the 27, wouldn't have had their surgery if RF tags were not available, that is 50% of patients needing Localization. Conclusion: RF Tags are new devices used for breast lesion localization, like other similar new devices, they offer the flexibility of being inserted days or weeks before surgery making the logistics of theatre planning easier, offering a much-needed flexibility especially during the Covid19 Pandemic. This was approved as an Audit by NHS Grampian Clinical Governance Department