A wide excision is performed. The specimen is amputated from the breast tissue and immediately oriented by placing two 3.0 Silk sutures. A comparison mammogram is obtained and the presence of the specimen is verified by our staff radiologist. We require a frozen section on these excised specimens, even though many oncologist surgeons do not. Once the margins are inked, the frozen section is performed and an initial diagnosis may be obtained.
Attention is given to the margins of the surgical specimen.
The pathologist informs us of his initial impression on the margins. Any unsafe margins, will require a re-excision of the area. The specimen of margin re-excision should have the new margin marked. The incision is closed. The breast parenchyma is approximated if necessary with 3.0 Vicryl sutures.