The New Dissecting Instrument for Modified Radical Mastectomy to Decrease Operative Time at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

To reduce operating time of modified radical mastectomy, a new dissecting instrument was developed since 1995. It composed of one meter of cable and two forceps add to the ordinary operating instrument. Data of patients with breast cancer who were operated during January 1, 1995to December 31, 1996 in Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital were collected retrospectively. It wasfound that operating time using the new instrument was reduced significantly when compared with control group (46.60 min vs 107.74 min, p <0.0001). There were no significant differences in age, tumor size and duration of hospital stay. It is hoped that the new instrument would be widely applicable and useful.