Microdochectomy : Finding breast cancer surgeons for microdochectomy surgery

Microdochectomy basically means removal of a breast duct. A probe will be placed into one of the ducts from the breast draining to the nipple to find the starting place of the nipple discharge. The area of the breast causing the discharge will then be removed.

There are about 12-15 glandular ducts in the breast which open up to the nipple surface. There are some breast diseases which affect the breast ducts. Microdochectomy or Breast Duct Excision is the surgery done for treatment of persistent nipple discharge from a single duct. This operation consists of removing just the single milk duct.

 

What are the causes for nipple discharge ?
In most of the cases, the cause is not something to be really worried about and is simply due to a widening of the milk ducts (or duct ectasia) which can be seen with age, or due to a wart-like growth in the milk duct (or intraductal papilloma). Even breast abscesses can manifest as nipple discharge.
However, rarely, early cancer cells may sometimes be found. This definitely would warrant further treatment and follow-up.

 

How can we diagnose microdochectomy surgery ?
A combination of diagnostic tests, including mammography, breast ultrasonography, can aid the clinician to ascertain the diagnosis and plan proper management. Based on the underlying breast pathology, microdochectomy is the procedure of choice for nipple discharge.

 

What is the procedure for microdochectomy surgery ?
This procedure is usually done under a general anesthesia and lasts for approximately 20-30 minutes. In most cases, patients can return home the very same day as the procedure.

During the surgery, a nurse will take you to the operating room where you will be put under anesthesia.

A lacrimal probe will be inserted and gently passed peripherally, as far as possible in to the duct. The direction of the lacrimal probe is used as a guide to make a circumareolar incision (incision around the areola). The duct and a small surrounding area of tissue will then be excised, and after haemostasis, skin has to be approximated.

The breast milk duct or ducts will then be removed and submitted to the laboratory for microscopic examination. The wound will be stitched using dissolvable sutures or stitches and then a waterproof dressing will be placed over it, to protect it.

 

What are the advantages of doing microdochectomy surgery ?
The benefits that are offered by breast duct excision is that the tissue removed can be examined to diagnose the cause of nipple discharge.

 

What are the risks attached to microdochectomy surgery ?

  1. Bleeding : Rarely, there is a risk of significant bleeding either during or after the operation that is important enough to warrant treatment.
  2. Infection : There is a risk of developing a post-operative infection.
  3. Pain : There is a risk of feeling pain from the wound even a few days after the operation. However, persistent pain is unusual and should be checked.
  4. Breastfeeding : In case all the milk ducts are surgically removed, you will be unable to breastfeed from that particular breast in the future.
  5. Loss of nipple sensation : Rarely, some women lose sensation or have altered sensations around their nipple or the nipple may not be able to go erect (or hard).
  6. Skin changes : The skin of your nipple may get altered and change in this operation. This is a rare complication.

 

How to find breast cancer surgeons for microdochectomy surgery ?
Now you can find breast cancer surgeons for microdochectomy surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple breast cancer surgeons, get approximate cost of microdochectomy surgery from various hospitals, compare things and then choose a breast cancer surgeon for microdochectomy surgery.

Find and choose a breast cancer surgeon for microdochectomy surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.

Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.