I've been reading these posts which have been helpful so thank you so much for this forum.

I was told today that I need to undergo a single duct removal to identify the cause of my discharge and to stop the discharge. I was first advised it would be done under general anaesthetic but considering I was not too keen on having the whole of the ducts removed if the single one can't be located on the day, my consultant then advised to have the procedure under local anaesthetic...!!!

I agreed but after some thought I am extremely worried and thinking I should just be put to sleep!

Has anyone had this procedure done under local instead of having general to be put to sleep? 
 

Hi KaelaS,

Welcome to our forum. I'm afraid that I was never given the option to have a local anaesthetic for my duct removal. However, if you go to the blue banner at the top of this page and click on the search engine, then insert duct removal under local anaesthetic, you will find similar posts. 

Why not give your breast care nurse a phone and discuss whether you would be better to have a general or a local? 

When are you due to have this procedure? Do please let us know what you decide. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you for responding and for the advice.

i am booked in for 31st March but I think if I ring Monday to ask for General instead the date might have to change.

I've watched videos of the procedure and it looks scary to have done under local but then it means I'm awake to be able to discuss options if they can't locate the single duct on the day.

I did ring a nurse on a helpline yesterday from "Breast cancer now" who was lovely but ultimately it is my decision to make which is proving a difficult one to make as pros and cons to both.

I also searched all over on here yesterday using various search formats but couldn't find anyone who'd had it done under local anaesthetic, or who had mentioned they had anyway.

Obviously not only am I worried about the procedure but the outcome of the tests they run on the duct :-(

xx

Hi Kaela,

I have had a look through some of the posts and agree that I cannot find any done under local anaesthetic either. There must be a reason for this.  Could you arrange in advance with your surgeon what to do in the case of different scenarios and then have the general anaesthetic?

We all worry about the outcome of tests done on the duct, but there is nothing that we can do to change the outcome. 

It is so difficult to make the decision when you have no experience to go by. Whatever you choose to do, I hope that it turns out to be the right decision for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine

The consultant basically said I'd have to agree to having all removed before I went under just in case they couldn't locate the single duct as she said they wouldn't put me to sleep then wake me up without doing anything.

I'm just not comfortable having all removed when it's only a single duct needing removed but at the same time don't feel comfortable having it done by local anaesthetic.

I really don't know what to do and I'd probably need to tell them by tomorrow as not sure if I new date will need scheduled if I change from local to general.

xx

Hi Kaela,

It is always so hard to decide when you don't really have any experience of this procedure. Although only one duct has shown up on scans, others can look suspicious when the surgeon gets in there. Are you saying that you wouldn't want these to go if they were involved too. It can be difficult to locate a specific node when operating. I had 6 removed first time around and all were clear. This is called a level one clearance.

When I had my double mastectomy the following year for a new cancer, my surgeon tried to remove just one or two to check under my other arm, where I had a benign lump at 6 months post my original surgery. As it turned out, he only managed to remove a fatty lump and no lymph nodes were removed.

Have another word with your breast care nurse tomorrow and discuss your concerns. Your care team discuss your case with all of the members on your team at their MDT meetings. They have the best experience of these operations, so you are probably best to be guided by them.

This may put your date back, but the sooner you do this the sooner you should get a new appointment if this is needed.

In the end, you've got to feel happy with your decision.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone,

ive been reading your posts as I find myself waiting for a total duct excision. I've been waiting for what feels like forever and my bleeding is getting worse... 

Has anyone else faced a long wait due to covid who has any tips on managing the prolonged anxiety. My dad passed away from cancer in March so that's not helping! 

Im struggling so much, xx

Hi Girl_from_Mars,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad and offer my sincere condolences. I can understand your anxiety now that you find yourself in this unenviable position and, can assure you that we all find the wait scary. Try to keep yourself busy to help pass the time. If you don't have any suitable pastimes why not get involved in a jigsaw? You can lose yourself in one of these for many hours.

Can I ask how long you've been waiting and, when you expect to have your total duct excision? Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you [@Jolamine]‍ 

I actually finished a jigsaw my dad had been doing as I couldn't bare to leave it incomplete and that did take some real focus so I'll look into that. 

My initial referral was last September, and the consultant told me I needed surgery in October. I should have been seen at the surgical clinic 22/12/20 but it was cancelled due to covid. I was seen 19/01/21 and surgery was booked for 04/02/21 but again cancelled due to covid.

I still don't have a new date. Xx

Hi Girl_from_Mars,

That seems a long time to wait, even with Covid. Why not phone your consultant's secretary to see where you are on the waiting list now? It is all too easy to get lost in the system.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx