Radiographically guided shave margins may reduce lumpectomy re-excision rates

Abstract

Minimizing margin re-excision optimizes patient care by providing appropriate oncologic resection and reducing costs. This study aims to assess margin positivity rate in two groups: shave margin based on gross specimen (control group, CG) vs shave margin based on intraoperative imaging (radiographic group, RG). A total of 182 patients who underwent lumpectomy for stage O-III breast cancer at a single institution from January 2013 to January 2014 were evaluated. There was statistically significant decrease in margin re-excision rate with intraoperative mammography but not with ultrasound. Surgeons are ideally equipped to use intraoperative imaging to guide margin excision, thus, improving care and reducing costs.

Keywords: breast conservation; cost reduction; re-excision; ultrasound.