Mayo stand and back table instruments for Breast Biopsy surgery setupClamping & Occluding

Penetrating Towel Clamp

Curved Hemostat

Kocher Forceps

Mosquito Clamp – Curved

Straight Hemostat

Tonsil Clamp

Allis Forceps
Cutting & Dissecting
Grasping & Holding
Retracting & Exposing

Freer Skin Hook

Freeman Rake

Weitlaner Retractor

Army-Navy Retractor

Senn Retractor

Richardson Retractor

Deaver Retractor
Suctioning
Suturing & Stapling
What to expect during Breast Biopsy

Penetrating Towel Clamp

Curved Hemostat

Kocher Forceps

Mosquito Clamp – Curved

Straight Hemostat

Tonsil Clamp

Allis Forceps

Freer Skin Hook

Freeman Rake

Weitlaner Retractor

Army-Navy Retractor

Senn Retractor

Richardson Retractor

Deaver Retractor
A breast biopsy is a medical procedure used to obtain a small sample of breast tissue for examination under a microscope. It is typically done to investigate a suspicious lump or abnormality found during a breast exam or imaging test, such as a mammogram or ultrasound. The biopsy helps determine if the tissue is cancerous or not, and provides important information for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Extra Equipment
ESU, suction
Drapes
Four folded towels, laparotomy drape
Step 1: Incision
The doctor will make an incision near the location of the biopsy, using a 10 or 15 blade depending on the size of the incision needed.
Step 2: Retraction
For small incisions, use senns, rakes, or skin hooks for retraction. For larger incisions, use army-navys or Richardsons.
Step 3: Dissection
The doctor will dissect down to reach the lesion, using cautery, DeBakey forcep, and Metzenbaum scissors.
Step 4: Retraction
Once dissected down, use a Weitlaner to retract the lesion into view.
Step 5: Clamping
An Allis clamp may be used to grasp the lesion and remove it.
Step 6: Stitching
After removing the lesion, a making/orientation stitch is usually placed using a needle driver, adsons, and straight mayo scissors.
Step 7: Pathology
The specimen is then sent to pathology for analysis.
Step 8: Drain
If the incision was bigger, a drain may also be used at the end.
Tips and tricks
Always make a note of the side and location of the specimen, as well as where the orientation stitch is placed, and double check specimen sheets.
Formalin is usually not used on breast biopsies.
The Surgery Sparknotes
- Make incision with 15 or 10 blade
- Retract with senns, rakes, skin hooks or army-navys, Richardsons for larger incisions
- Dissect with cautery, DeBakey forcep, and Metzenbaum scissors
- Use Weitlaner to retract when lesion is in view
- Grasp lesion with Allis clamp and remove it
- Place making/orientation stitch with needle driver, adsons, and straight mayo scissors
- Send specimen to pathology and consider using a drain for larger incisions