Benign Breast Surgery

A Microdochectomy is a targeted surgical procedure, whereby a single duct behind the nipple is removed for examination by the breast pathologist. 

The major breast ducts coalesce behind the nipple/areola complex. Suspicious discharge for the nipple may be the first indication of significant disease in the ducts, even in the absence of clinical or imaging findings. Subareolar duct excision removes all of the major ducts from behind the nipple, to stop the discharge, and to provide the pathologist with the duct tissue for examination. The nipple is preserved, but breastfeeding is not possible after a sub-areola duct excision. Usually the cause of the discharge is benign duct disease requiring no further treatment, but if breast cancer is found in the ducts then further surgery may be required.