Q & A WITH DR. A
Why am I not presently operating in a hospital environment?
Dr. A: For over 20 years I have performed laser breast cancer surgery in North Shore University Hospital, where I have published numerous articles on the advantages of laser breast surgery. I have also had a most successful affiliation with Lenox HIll Hospital , New York City. More recently I have limited my laser breast surgery to my private ambulatory unit which has been in operation for the last twenty years. This ambulatory unit has been accredited by the prestigious National Joint Commissions for Hospitals and Office Based Units, 2010. My surgical team is personally hand selected. We pride ourselves in operating on non-infected patients in a surgically sterile environment. This is a tremendous advantage to our patients as there are over 25,000 post operative deaths from hospital infections a year. We limit and maintain surgically “sterile” cases of only breast disease operated on by laser.
Will I have pain during and after my breast cancer surgery?
Dr. A: Surgery is performed under local plus IV sedation with no pain.
What are the advantages of breast cancer surgery with laser?
Dr. A: With laser surgery no anesthesia is needed. All surgery is performed under local with IV sedation. The incisions are smaller because the dissection is by means of a fine beam of light as opposed to the surgeon’s hand in the incision. The beam vaporizes the cells around the lumps, sealing the surrounding blood vessels and lymphatics. There is less bleeding, as the laser does not insult the healthy surrounding tissue. It eliminates pain to the patient. Your post-operative recovery is rapid due to the lack of trauma during surgery.
Are core biopsies accurate for DCIS?
Dr. A: The Core Biopsy for DCIS removes a small amount of tissue for diagnosis. This can result in either insufficient tissue for diagnosis and or a missed diagnosis. This will alter the course of proper surgical treatment.
How do I know if I am a candidate for laser surgery?
Dr. A: All women are candidates for laser breast surgery.
Why lasers instead of a scalpel?
Dr. A: Due to laser’s properties general anesthesia and narcotics are not used. The laser beam’s fine incision is cosmetically improved, limits blood loss, seals blood vessels and reduces lymphatic drainage due to sealing of the lymphatics. Cosmetically, there are no sutures on the outside of the breast. In animal studies, lasers have demonstrated a significant reduction of locally recurring cancer.
What is my post-operative course?
Dr. A: After surgery you will walk off the operating room table and return to your private dressing room. Dr. Ansanelli will meet with you and your family and discuss any questions you might have.
What about my pathology?
Dr. A: Private patients will obtain their results in 4-7 days.
Will I have any sutures?
Dr. A: All sutures are buried inside the wound with the laser. This will eliminate any suture removal.
When do I see you again?
Dr. A: You will have at least two post operative visits during the following 1-2 days. Your pathology will be discussed at this time. And, any further questions are always welcomed : )
