Expectations Of Lumpectomy

Surgical Procedure

Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tumor and a part of the tissue around it are removed. Lumpectomy is preceded with radiation therapy and its consequences after surgery are discussed in the following passage.

A hospital sterilized gown is given to the patient while waiting to have the surgery. If the tumor is not prominent the surgeon uses ultra sound or mammogram to detect the position of the tumor. Using a felt tip marker a mark is making by the doctor or the nurse at the place where the incision has to be made. The patient will then be taken to an anesthesia room and intravenous infusion line is inserted in arm or hand and pasted with a tape. Then relaxing medicine is inserted through IV line. Some prefer to have local anesthesia where only the part to be operated is anesthetized.

The surgeon makes a curved incision which looks like a frown or smile as it helps healing better following the breast shape with the help of a electric scalpel which minimizes bleeding. The visible tumor is removed along with the healthy tissue surrounding it in 15 to 40 min. A rubber tube known as drain is inserted surgically in the armpit or breast area to remove excess fluid collected in the tumor area. The plastic bulb connected to the drains sucks the fluid.. Then the wound is closed with stitches and the wound is dressed. The operation is considered as a day case being a simple procedure.