STEREOTAXIC BREAST BIOPSY - IMPROVED TISSUE HARVESTING WITH THE MAMMOTOME

The current study was performed to determine whether the Mammotome, a new breast biopsy instrument, is better at harvesting breast tissue pe rcutaneously than an automated Tru-Cut (ATC) device. A total of 345 st ereotactic breast biopsies were performed with the Mammotome. The Mamm otome specimens were clinically evaluated on a five-point specimen sca le that reflected the quality and quantity of the specimens and the ra pidity of collection. In selected cases, specimen weights from both te chniques were measured. In addition, by examining the lesion site post -biopsy, biopsies were categorized as incisional or excisional. Specim ens obtained with the Mammotome were two times heavier than when obtai ned with the Biopty(R) gun (34.3 mg vs. 17.2 mg, P less than or equal to 0.0002). When aggregate Mammotome specimen weights were regressed a gainst number of specimens submitted, average weight per specimen was 31.9 mg (P less than or equal to 0.0001). When compared with the ATC d evice on the specimen scale, the Mammotome specimens were rated ''Aver age'' in 2.1 percent, ''Good'' in 13 percent, and ''Very Good'' in 84. 9 percent. Also, 51.9 percent of the biopsies with the Mammotome were judged to be incisional; 48.1 percent, excisional. Three minor complic ations were encountered. The Mammotome more quickly harvests more brea st tissue compared with ATC technology.