The role of intraoperative ultrasound in breast-conserving surgery of nonpalpable breast cancer.

Objective: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the role of intraoperative ultrasound in breast-conserving surgery of nonpalpable breast cancer.

Methods: The data about 125 patients with preoperatively diagnosed breast cancer operated with the help of intraoperative ultrasound between January 2009 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The mean volume of the excised tissue was 42.1 cm(3) (± 22.0 cm(3)). Immediate re-excision after ultrasound examination of the excised tissue was performed in 27 patients (21.6 %). Secondary procedure owing to positive histological margins was necessary only in four patients (3.2 %).

Conclusions: Intraoperative ultrasound offers some advantages in comparison with other localization techniques for nonpalpable breast cancer surgery.