Percutaneous excisional biopsy of clinically benign breast lesions with vacuum-assisted system: comparison of three devices

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare three devices in percutaneous excisional biopsy of clinically benign breast lesions in terms of complete excision rate, duration of procedure and complications.

Materials and methods

In a retrospective study from March 2005 to May 2009, 983 lesions underwent ultrasound-guided excisional biopsy with three vacuum-assisted systems, respectively. The lesions were category 3 lesions as determined by ultrasound imaging according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) (n = 951) or had been confirmed as benign by a previous core needle biopsy (n = 32). The completely excision rate, duration of procedure and complications (hematoma, pain and ecchymosis) were recorded.

Results

99.7% (980/983) lesions were demonstrated to be benign by pathology after percutaneous excisional biopsy. The overall complete excision rate was 94.8% (932/983). In lesions whose largest diameter equal to or larger than 1.5 cm, the complete excision rates of EnCor^® group (97.8%, 348/356) and Mammotome^® group (97.2%, 139/143) were significantly higher than that of Vacora^® group (91.9%, 445/484) (P < 0.05). The EnCor^® group (6.6 ± 6.5 min) had a significant less duration than Mammotome^® (10.6 ± 9.3 min) and Vacora^® group (25.6 ± 23.3 min) (P < 0.05). Hematoma occurred more in EnCor^® group and Mammotome^® group than in Vacora^® group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

All these three vacuum-assisted systems are highly successful for excisional biopsy of benign breast lesions.