A minimally invasive breast biopsy clinic: an innovative way to teach breast fellows how to perform breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures

BackgroundThe ability to perform breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures are increasingly important skills for breast surgeons. Breast fellowship programs must develop programs to ensure adequate ultrasound training for breast fellows.MethodsA Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Clinic was established at the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center to provide breast fellows with comprehensive, hands-on, “live-patient” breast ultrasound training.ResultsFrom December 2004 though February 2005, 5 breast fellows received training in the Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Clinic. Each fellow received a minimum of 18 weeks of “live-patient” experience. Although the learning curve varied among the fellows, all showed proficiency in performing breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided core biopsies by the 12th week. A total of 39 patients with fibroadenomas underwent 62 ultrasound-guided procedures, including 30 vacuum-assisted percutaneous excisions, 16 cryoablations, and 16 core biopsies.ConclusionThe Minimally Invasive Breast Clinic model provided breast fellows with sufficient “live-patient” experience to enable confident performance of breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures. The selection of patients with fibroadenomas facilitated safe and efficient training without interfering with the management of cancer patients.