The team performs conservative procedures, from wide excision of the lesion to quadrantectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, and demolition procedures such as enlarged mastectomy and axillary emptying.
Although the first objective in surgical treatment is to appropriately remove the disease, the Breast Surgery team must also take aesthetics into account, as indicated in the most widespread guidelines. The team performs breast remodeling following the concepts of modern oncoplasty, which aims to achieve the best aesthetic result without compromising an oncologically correct breast resection. If complete removal of the breast is warranted and if there are no contraindications, the tendency is to preserve the nipple-areola complex and proceed with an immediate reconstruction of the breast with an expander or with prostheses. Moreover, if necessary, a simultaneous contralateral breast reduction (mastopexy) is performed. These procedures are carried out directly in the operating room, with the possible collaboration of a plastic surgeon.
The length of stay varies depending on the type of operation: biopsies or quadrantectomies with sentinel lymph node biopsy are performed under local anesthesia with addition of sedation and require a one day hospital stay; patients undergo procedures in the morning and are discharged in the afternoon. The most complex procedures, such as mastectomy with axillary emptying and reconstruction, are performed under general anesthesia and patients are discharged after three or four days. Once discharged, the patient is provided with a telephone number to contact the doctors of the department in case of need.
