Preoperative ultrasound-guided marking, mammogram, and peroperative use of image intensifier: A cost-effective technique in clipped non-palpable breast cancer lesions to achieve adequate surgical margins

Objective: To measure the effectiveness of localisation and removal of impalpable target lesions without compromising patient safety in a resource-limited setup using preoperative ultrasound and mammography with peroperative use of C-arm image intensifier. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Breast Surgery, Ittefaq Hospital (Trust), Lahore, Pakistan, from 25th October 2011 to 17th February 2023. Methodology: All the breast cancer patients who achieved complete clinical response after neoadjuvant systemic treatment and underwent breast conservation surgery during the study period were included. Tumour / clip localisation was done using preoperative ultrasound or image-guided marking, a 2-view mammogram in all cases and the use of an image intensifier to confirm the presence of clips in the excised specimen. The primary outcome was the accurate localisation and removal of the index lesion, while the secondary outcome included the reoperation rate for positive margins and early local recurrence. Results: Data from 144 patients were reviewed. Successful localisation was done in all the patients; only one patient had a positive margin for ductal carcinoma-in situ (DCIS), achieving a 99.3% clear margin rate. Local recurrence within two years after primary operation was seen in one patient only. Conclusion: By a combined approach of preoperative ultrasound-guided marking, a 2-view mammogram, and the use of image intensifier, successful localisation of an impalpable breast lesion is possible without compromising oncological and aesthetic principles. (author)