A small magnetic seed, the size of a grain of rice, is placed in the tumor using the so-called ‘Pintuition technique’, after which the seed sends a signal to the surgeon’s system.
“This means we know exactly where to operate”, surgeon Patricia Jansen told RTL Nieuws. “This results in a more patient-friendly treatment and smaller scars.”
First treatments
This week she treated the first two patients with the new technique, which was developed by the Eindhoven company Sirius Medical. “This has so many advantages, for the patient and for the surgeon.”
“Until now we worked with a metal anchor wire,” says Jansen. “Then a thread sticks out of the chest, which is very uncomfortable for the patient.”
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The advantage for the surgeon is that you ‘know exactly where to operate because of the sound the magnetic seed makes,’ says Jansen. “This allows us to make even smaller scars and safely remove less of the breast.”
Less stress
The aim of the new method is mainly to reduce the burden on the patient. The magnet can be applied well before the operation, in contrast to the current technique in the ETZ with the metal anchor wire.
Another method is with an iodine seed. There are disadvantages because of the radioactivity. This is not the case with the new technology.
“This new method provides less stress and burden around the day of surgery”, the surgeon continues. “Very nice for the patient, because it is of course a very exciting, emotional time.”
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Jansen worked together with Maud Bessems from the Jeroen Bosch Hospital in Den Bosch, who researched this for a year and a half. On October 23, she will present the results at the European Congress for Cancer Surgeons.
“We started working on this a year ago,” says Bessems. “The results will be presented at the end of this month. At the beginning of November there will also be a presentation for other hospitals to share the results and ask questions.”
A lot of interest
Will other hospitals in the Netherlands, or even worldwide, also apply the method in the short term? “There is a lot of interest”, confirms the research leader. “Ten different hospitals in the Netherlands have already informed.”
“They wanted to know all about it. There is a large market for these types of operations, including worldwide. I understand that Sirius, who developed the product, is also implementing the method in the US and other countries.”
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