Radiographically guided shave margins may reduce lumpectomy re-excision rates

Abstract

Minimizing margin re‐excision optimizes patient care by providing appropriate oncologic resection and reducing costs. This study aims to assess margin positivity rate in two groups: shave margin based on gross specimen (control group, CG) vs shave margin based on intraoperative imaging (radiographic group, RG). A total of 182 patients who underwent lumpectomy for stage O‐III breast cancer at a single institution from January 2013 to January 2014 were evaluated. There was statistically significant decrease in margin re‐excision rate with intraoperative mammography but not with ultrasound. Surgeons are ideally equipped to use intraoperative imaging to guide margin excision, thus, improving care and reducing costs.