Transareolar dye-injection microdochectomy.

Single-duct microdochectomy is described for use in patients with bloody or serosanguinous nipple discharge arising from a single duct in the breast. Because most such cases are caused by benign, intraductal papillomata, the technique used in removing the offending ductal system should be fully diagnostic, adequately therapeutic, and cosmetically acceptable. A technique is described that is used in 40 consecutive patients with good diagnostic, therapeutic, and cosmetic result. The procedure itself combines techniques and principles of plastic and reconstructive surgery such as minimal tissue trauma, use of anatomical tissue planes, bloodless-field surgery, and microdissection.