Cleavage-sparing op numbers ‘inflated’ – Paterson

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Cleavage-sparing op numbers ‘inflated’ – Paterson


He also denied that it was a new operation he performed but rather an “adaptation” and denied coining the term “cleavage-sparing mastectomy”.

Paterson’s trial seven years ago heard the technique involved leaving some breast tissue behind, preserving patients’ cleavages.

However the inquest has heard it also increased the risk of cancer returning – a point the surgeon denied on Thursday.

He told the coroner he stopped performing his version of a mastectomy as soon as he was informed by hospital chiefs in 2007 that more research was needed.

Speaking in general terms, he said breast surgeons aimed to remove all breast tissue when carrying out mastectomies, but in practice this was never 100% successful.

In evidence, he drew a distinction between glandular breast tissue – which produces milk – and the subcutaneous fatty tissue, some of which he would retain.

The inquest previously heard that when examined in 2010, Elaine Turbill had 20% of her breast tissue left behind by Paterson.

But he said it was “not an objective measure” and told the inquest when carrying out operations of this type he was “as near as possible certain that I wasn’t leaving behind glandular breast tissue”.

He asked why the residual tissue in Mrs Turbill had not been noticed before that point and suggested it may have been fat which had grown since the operation in 2005.



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