Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB)--a patients' survey

Abstract

Aim: To analyze how patients experience Stereotactic guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) both physically and mentally.

Patients and methods: Two hundred and eleven consecutive women underwent VABB using one of two different biopsy devices (ATEC® and Mammotome®). Patients were queried using a questionnaire.

Results: One hundred and eighty-nine patients were included. 90% would again prefer VABB over a surgical biopsy. Average grading for the condition during the procedure was 2.5 (very good to good) and 2.1 (very good) for the condition the week following VABB. Minor complications were mentioned in 37%. (>90% pain and hematoma). 97% of the women were satisfied by the cosmetic results. Patients with malignant histology and younger age experienced the procedure significantly worse. A significant higher rate of minor complications was found in younger patients and in the ATEC® group.

Conclusion: VABB is a physical and mental stressor to the women. Nonetheless, the majority of women indeed prefer the VABB.

Keywords: Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy; microcalcifications; patient acceptance.