What is minimally invasive breast surgery?
Minimally invasive breast surgery (MIBS) encompasses a range of surgical and non-surgical steps taken to improve the physical, emotional, and quality of life impact for women with breast cancer. MIBS is more than simply the act of performing operations through small incisions. The more important goals of MIBS are to improve the outcome of breast cancer treatment by:
- Preserving or even improving breast appearance
- Minimizing short and long-term side effects of surgery
- Reducing treatment complications
- Expediting return to normal daily activities
What minimally-invasive breast surgeries does Dr. Holmes perform?
A leading expert in minimally-invasive breast surgeries, Dr. Holmes provides a complete array of such procedures, including
- Hidden scar nipple-sparing mastectomy. This type of mastectomy is a nipple-sparing mastectomy procedure performed through a small, 2-3 inch incision hidden in the skin fold under the breast. Combined with immediate breast reconstruction, hidden scar nipple-sparing mastectomy results in a completely normal-looking (if not better than normal looking) breast with intact skin, nipple, and areola and no visible scar when the breast is viewed from the front.
- Lymph node-sparing surgery. Axillary reverse mapping entails injecting blue dye into the nearby arm, which temporarily turns the arm lymph nodes blue in color to make it easier for Dr. Holmes to see and protect arm lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery. Protection of arm nodes and lymph vessels preserves the drainage of lymph fluid from the arm, thereby preventing or reducing the risk of lymphedema.
- Cryoablation. This is a ground-breaking new tumor freezing treatment for breast cancer. Dr. Holmes is a principal investigator for its nationwide clinical trial. Cryoablation is performed using a needle-like instrument that is inserted through the center of the cancer to permit its freezing to a cancer-killing temperature.
- Oncoplastic surgery. Oncoplastic surgery combines breast cancer surgery with breast reduction or breast lifts of both breasts to improve breast appearance and symmetry.
- Targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (TARGIT). TARGeted Intraoperative radioTherapy (TARGIT) is a form of breast radiation that is administered as a single treatment at the time of lumpectomy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
- MarginProbe. The MarginProbe device permits immediate intraoperative assessment of surgical margins to ensure complete cancer removal at the time of lumpectomy.
How does Dr. Holmes reduce side effects and improve recovery of breast surgery?
Dr. Holmes utilizes numerous tools and techniques to maximize pain and minimize recovery from breast surgery, including:
- Long-acting local anesthetics. Generous use of long-acting local anesthetics during general anesthesia provides extended control of postoperative pain and reduces the need for postoperative pain medication. Epinephrine in the anesthetic solution reduces blood loss and bruising to promote wound healing.
- Nerve blocks. Regional nerve blocks at the time of general anesthesia greatly reduce the need for pain pills and speed up recovery.
- Long-acting anti-nausea medications. Postoperative nausea may be controlled with anti-nausea patches or medications taken before surgery.
For more information about minimally invasive breast surgery, visit Dr. Holmes’s YouTube Channel here.
