During this procedure tissue is removed from the breast.  It may be a tumor (benign or cancerous), it may be drainage of an abscess or infection.

When surgery is done for cancer sometimes  it is necesary to remove  lymph nodes (glands under the arm)  to determine the staging of the tumor, to decide if chemotherapy is required.  In this situation the surgery involves more risks and other possible complications.  Below you will find the general complications of breast surgery and then the one specific to each procedure.  Also the instructions for wound care after surgery per procedure.  If the questions are not answered here please contact us.

Risks of the Procedure

Breast Biopsy or Lumpectomy Risk

• Bleeding, infection.
• Seroma-fluid collection.  This can happen any time that tissue is removed and empty space is left.  This usually resolves by itself if left untreated.  Sometimes drainage is required.  Other times it may get infected and antibiotics are required.
• Hematoma-blood collection can occur and it usually resolves on its own.  It it does not then we drain the area.  If it gets infected we have to drain and treat with antibiotics.
• Sometimes the biopsy is diagnostic for a tumor and if cancer is found we may need surgery to completely remove the affected area.
• Other times the margins are positive after the first removal and we have to re-remove the margin to get clear margins free of tumor.
• There could be other risks not stated here and these will be discussed with you in person.  also risks involving the anesthesia are discussed by the anesthesiologist.
• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be necessary and this will be addressed by the medical oncologist.

Mastectomy Risk

• Bleeding, infection and abscess
• The flaps can necrose (die) and the wound  re-open.  This can happen due to poor blood supply.  More surgery may be necessary to fix this problem.
• Recurrence of tumor is always a possibility as time goes by.
• If nodes are removed arm swelling can occur.  Also seroma (fluid collection) in the axilla can occur.
• Seroma, or fluid collection can occur and usually this is prevented by placing a drain that is removed a week after the procedure.
• Usually drains are placed in the axial and the chest.

Mastectomy and Reconstruction Risk

• Bleeding, infection and abscess
• The flaps can necrose (die) and the wound  re-open.  This can happen due to poor blood supply.  More surgery may be necessary to fix this problem.
• Recurrence of tumor is always a possibility.
• If nodes are removed arm swelling can occur.  Also seroma in the axilla can occur
• Seroma, or fluid collection can occur and usually this is prevented by placing a drain that is removed a week after the procedure.
• These are the same risks that can occur with mastectomy alone.  The reconstruction part has certain risks that need to be discussed with the plastic surgeon.

The risks discussed here are risks pertinent only to the surgery and only the most common complications that we observe are listed.  Risks of anesthesia need to be discussed with the anesthesiologist.  There may be other complications that may not be discussed here.  The purpose of this list is to make the pt aware of the most common problems that they can expect.  We do not pretend to have  a perfect list by any means.  If you have questions please call Dr. Lugo.  Dr Lugo will also discuss other risks that may be specific to the patient.

Breast Surgery Post Op Instructions

• All incisions are treated equal.  You can wash with water and soap the incisions.  Please only water and soap.  Avoid peroxide or any other chemicals.  Dry after washing and cover if you have staples.  If you have glue over the incision then you do not have to cover.  There are stitches under the skin that will dissolve.  The glue is just a dressing and it is not the only thing holding the incision together.
• Mastectomy patients will have a drain or drains.  It is important to pay special attention to the entry wound of the drains.  Keep it very clean and covered with gauze.  Change it every day after shower.
• If you have drains make sure that you measure the drainage every 8 hours and record.  Bring this to the first post op visit.
• On mastectomy patients it is important to replace the elastic band and the pressure dressing applied.  this is going to minimize the amount of fluid that will accumulate in the wound cavity.  Please re apply everyday after shower
• Call Dr. Lugo of his nurse if you have fever, redness or any other problem.  We are here to help and take care of you.
• Make sure you have a follow up appointment 7-10 days after surgery.
• If you had a sentinel node biopsy, you will notice blue ink on your skin.  that was used to locate the sentinel node and will eventually fade out.  Wash with water and soap every day and it will slowly disappear.  You may also notice a bluish-green color in your urine.  this will go away.