St. Vincent’s Hospital Breast Unit is the longest established breast clinic in the country and is one of the eight centres for breast disease, specialising in both benign and malignant pathology. The centre has been designed to facilitate breast imaging in a private and comfortable setting, where clinical assessment is provided by specialist breast surgeons.
The equipment at the Maple Centre is modern, digital mammography, and high-frequency ultrasound machines. MRI breast imaging is also available on site.
All patients can be assured they will receive the very best treatment while in our care.
The team involved in this service
The breast unit is made up of five specialist surgeons supported firmly by our multidisciplinary team who provide invaluable support to our patients with breast cancer:
- Radiologists
- Plastic surgeons
- Pathologists
- Medical and radiation oncologist
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Ancillary physiotherapists
- Psycho-oncologist
- The Maple Centre is a purpose-built breast care centre located on the first floor of St. Vincent’s Private Hospital.
The service
Before your treatment
Admission will take place on the on the morning of surgery
Your admission letter will advise you of what time to fast from.
Before surgery, your doctor will discuss the operation and ask for written consent
Blood Tests and an ECG (electrical tracing of the heart) will be requested prior to admission
Please inform your doctor or breast care nurse if you are taking any of the following medications:
- Plavix
- Aspirin
- Warfarin
- Other anti-coagulant drugs
- Oral contraceptive pill
Nightwear
Choose loose fitting pyjamas or nightdresses that be
opened fully down the front as these allow easy access
for dressings after surgery. Also bring a pair of good fitting slippers with you.
Bras
Bring a loose/soft non-wired bra – your normal bra
may be too tight or small because of post-operative swelling.
Wearing a bra for a few days after surgery gives support.
Before the operation the doctor will have discussed with you the appropriate type of surgical options, depending on your individual circumstances
There are two main types of Breast Surgery:
- Breast Conserving Surgery
For many women it is now possible to have a smaller operation to conserve the breast rather than a mastectomy. This is a lumpectomy or wide local excision in which the lump is removed including a small amount of surrounding tissue.
In some cases the lump may not be palpable (i.e. it is difficult to feel) and will require a guiding needle (wire) to be inserted in The Maple Centre prior to the surgery. This is to guide the surgeon to identify the area to be removed.
On some occasions a second surgery may be required to ensure adequate clearance of the tumour.
- Mastectomy
For some women the most appropriate treatment is still a mastectomy. This involves removing the breast tissue completely including the nipple. A mastectomy may be done with or without breast reconstruction.
- Lymph Node Surgery
Why Lymph Node (Gland) Surgery is performed:
It is important for the doctor to find out whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit. The surgical removal of some or all of the lymph nodes allows the doctor to gain this information. This information will influence the further treatment options offered following surgery.
After the operation you may be on a drip (intravenous fluids) until eating and drinking is resumed.
- After surgery there will be a waterproof dressing in place to the site(s) of surgery, covering the wound
- The stitches internally will be dissolvable and there will be paper stitches in place under the outer dressing.
- Wound care education will be carried out by the breast care nurse and ward nurses following surgery.
Depending on the type of surgery there may be:
- Drainage tubes in place to drain fluid from around the wound. The drain is generally not removed until the total daily volume reduces to 30mls or less in a 24hr period.
- Some people may be sent home with the drain in place. If this is the case, education will be carried out by the breast care nurse and ward staff on how to care for this drain.
- Skin and arm care education will be carried out by the breast care nurse if you have had surgery to remove all lymph nodes from under your arm (axillary clearance surgery)
The amount of pain experienced following surgery is different for each patient. Regular painkillers will be offered for the first few days to ensure minimal discomfort and adequate arm/shoulder movement.
Pain control education will be carried out by the breast care nurse and ward staff following surgery.
A prescription for painkillers will be given prior to discharge.
The physiotherapist may visit depending on the type of surgery carried out. This is to provide specific exercises following
After surgery to remove lymph nodes from under the arm, people may experience numbness, tingling in the armpit and on the under side of the upper arm due to nerves being affected by surgery.
After a mastectomy, a temporary breast prosthesis and bra will be fitted prior to discharge home from hospital.
Information will be provided on where to go for the permanent breast prosthesis fitting at approx. 6-8weeks after surgery.
While in hospital the breast care nurses will visit regularly and will provide education and psychological support.
The results of your operation will be discussed at our weekly breast care meeting. You will be provided with a follow up appointment to attend to discuss the results of your surgery
