American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
DFSusie
one year ago
Answered

Pathology report

Hi if my surgeon did a Breast Lift and Implant exchange and removed the capsule that was from 35 years ago and showed signs of calcification what tissues would be normally sent to pathology? Would she send the skin removed from the breast lift or the capsule or both? Having hard time reading understanding my pathology report. What is the normal procedure for what to send to pathology?

Procedure: Breast Implant Revision
Location: Portland, OR

Replies 3

Samir Shureih

Hospitals, Surgi-centers, Office surgery centers are to have a policy as to what is to be sent to pathological examination and what is not.

In general cosmetic surgery procedures do not need to send normal appearing and no suspicious lesions skin. In Orthopedic surgery one does not need to send metal plates and screws to pathology unless required by policy at the hospital or surgical centers. Sending a removed implant when ruptured may be sent for pathology for documentation that the implant was removed and is ruptured if the manufacturer is to replace that implant.

As for the breast implant capsule, I can tell you what is my policy which states anything removed from the breast is to be sent for pathological examination, Sometimes cultures are requested. Remember that there will be a charge from the pathologist that the patient is responsible for.

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Ellis Tavin
ASPS Surgeon
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Different surgeons may have different practices. I routinely send breast tissue removed to pathology. I do not send normal appearing skin. I may send capsules if there is something suspicious about them or if the old implants were textured and there was a seroma (fluid collection present). In that case the fluid needs to be tested as well.

Hopefully this information was helpful. Please discuss your pathology report with your surgeon who can explain the findings to you.

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Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

Depends on the doctor and the surgical facility what gets sent to the pathologist. The doctor usually determines what needs to be sent. Sometime they do not send anything at all. If you have a hard time reading and understanding the path report, the easiest and best thing to do is to call the doctors office and ask them to explain it to you.

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