Patient satisfaction and efficacy of vacuum-assisted excision biopsy of fibroadenomas.

AIM: To establish the efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction for vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) excision of fibroadenomas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients referred for VAB of benign lesions from 11 December 2002 to 30 November 2006 were identified prospectively, and the following data were recorded: age, histology, lesion size, and completeness of excision. A questionnaire was sent at least a year after the procedure to assess pain, complications, residual palpable lesions, and cosmetic result.
RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four patients were referred for VAB, 81 had fibroadenomas. Fifty-nine percent replied to the questionnaire. Fifty-four percent of patients reported no pain during the procedure, 8% rated their pain at > or =3/10. Thirty-two percent had no pain the week after the procedure, 55% had pain > or =3/10. Seventy-nine percent had no palpable mass at the site of the original lesion. Ninety-four percent would recommend the procedure to others and would prefer further VAB to surgery. Bruising was common, one patient required aspiration of a haematoma. Six percent developed infections, all resolved with antibiotic therapy. Eighty-five percent of patients were completely satisfied with the cosmetic result. Interval ultrasound was performed in 36 patients. A palpable mass was present in 11%, a non-palpable mass in 19%, and no mass in 70%.
CONCLUSION: VAB excision is well-tolerated, safe, and popular with a high initial success rate for fibroadenomas. Bruising and pain are common the week after the procedure.