Plano Surgical Procedures - Dr. Beth V. Anglin

Medical Center of Plano

4001 W. 15th, Ste. 180
Plano, TX 75093

972.596.5225 - Office
972.985.9782 - Fax

Centennial Medical Center

4401 Coit Road, Ste. 313
Frisco, TX 75035

214.619.5225 - Office
214.619.5222 - Fax

Breast Surgical Procedures

Breast Biopsy is an outpatient procedure where a small piece of tissue is taken. This is necessary for some tender or growing breast lumps. It might be necessary after a needle biopsy to obtain more tissue for accurate diagnosis. The procedure is done in the hospital or surgery center and takes less than an hour. Dissolving stitches are used. Pain medicines are prescribed but usually only needed for a 1-2 days. If the biopsy is performed on a Thursday or Friday, you can return to work on Monday.

Lumpectomy and partial mastectomy are the terms for removal of the breast cancer and a small amount of tissue around the cancer. In most cancer surgery, lymph nodes are also removed. The location of lymph nodes is under the arm (armpit area). This biopsy is called a sentinel lymph node biopsy (see below). The procedure is done in the hospital or surgery center and takes about an hour. Dissolving stitches are used. Pain medicines are prescribed but usually only needed for a few days. If the biopsy is performed on a Thursday or Friday, you can return to work on Monday.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is the removal of one to three lymph nodes under the arm that are the ones most likely to contain cancer. Before sentinel node biopsy women had the majority of the lymph nodes removed under the arm with an increased risk of complications. Sentinel node biopsy is performed at the same time as either a lumpectomy or mastectomy. You first have an injection in the breast skin that is absorbed by the lymph vessels. These vessels channel to the sentinel node which is then removed. Depending on the location, a second incision is needed away from the lumpectomy or mastectomy incision. No drains are needed for this procedure.

Skin Sparing Mastectomy is the removal of the breast leaving as much skin as possible for reconstruction. It is usually performed with a sentinel node biopsy (see above) unless there are enlarged lymph nodes. If swollen lymph nodes are found with cancer then most of the lymph nodes are removed. The nipple and areola are removed except in rare occasions. Reconstructive breast surgery begins during this procedure. Tissue expanders or ones own tissue can be used for forming a new breast. A new nipple and areola can also be made at a second procedure. Drains are placed and usually removed in 7-14 days in the office. One stays in the hospital for 1-2 days and needs pain medicines for 3-5 days.

Modified Radical Mastectomy is the removal of the breast tissue and most of the lymph nodes under the arm. This is performed when cancer has spread to the lymph nodes at the time of surgery. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy can be done if desired. Drains are again placed and usually removed in 7 days in the office. One stays in the hospital for 1-2 days and needs pain medicines for 3-5 days.

A mediport is a device inserted under the skin into a vein for chemotherapy. It can be placed at the same time as breast cancer surgery or at a separate surgery. Radiologists also place these in the procedure area. They are removed in the office at the completion of chemotherapy.