Use of the Patent Blue and Air in the Preoperative Marking of Impalpable Breast Lesions.

Abstract

The goal of this study is to analyze the applicability of the patent blue dye and air in the preoperative marking of impalpable mammary lesions with indication of surgical resection. A prospective cohort study was performed. We selected 49 patients with detection of impalpable lesions on a breast mammography or breast ultrasonography. The patients received the dye injection as close to their surgery time as possible. The criteria analyzed included: 1) complete marking and identification of the lesion; 2) complete removal of the lesion; 3) in cases of malignant lesions, presence of free margins for successful surgery; 4) occurrence of allergic events; 5) necessity of reoperation; and 6) difficulty in locating lesions. All lesions were marked, and they were successfully excised. In cases of malignancy, free margins were obtained in 100% of the cases. There were no allergic events or reoperations. Only 8.9% of the lesions were difficult to locate. The marking with patent blue and air is an effective alternative for the labeling of impalpable breast lesions, and it has satisfactory surgical oncology results. All lesions were resected, 91.1% of them were performed with no difficulties, and free margins were obtained in 100% of cases of malignancy.