A prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study of a real-time, intraoperative probe for positive margin detection in breast-conserving surgery

Background This randomized, double-arm trial was designed to study the benefit of a novel device (MarginProbe, Dune Medical Devices, Caesarea, Israel) in intraoperative margin assessment for breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and the associated reduction in reoperations. Methods In the device group, the probe was applied to the lumpectomy specimen and additional tissue was excised according to device readings. Study arms were compared by reoperation rates and by correct surgical reaction confirmed by histology. Results Three hundred patients were enrolled. Device use was associated with improved correct surgical reaction, defined as additional re-excision in all histologically detected positive margins, with tumor within 1 mm of inked margin. The repeat lumpectomy rate was significantly reduced by 56% in the device arm: 5.6% versus 12.7% in the control arm. There were no differences in excised tissue volume or cosmetic outcome. Conclusions Intraoperative use of the MarginProbe for positive margin detection is safe and effective in BCS and decreases the rate of repeat operations.