Breast surgery

PIP implants - information for patients  

We would like to reassure our patients that PIP manufactured implants have not been used by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust in the past.  

For the latest advice on PIP implants from the NHS please visit http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/01January/Pages/government-review-advises-on-french-pip-breast-implants.aspx

What we do

We assess and treat all breast conditions, whether they are benign (such as breast pain, congenital abnormalities, breast cysts and fibroadenoma) or if they are malignancies (breast cancer).

Our specialisms

We have two consultant surgeons who both offer immediate breast reconstruction surgery to women requiring mastectomy surgery.

Nipple reconstruction and areola tattooing is also available.

Clinical research is undertaken as part of our practice to inform and improve the services offered.

Within our team we have a clinical psychologist who is able to offer support to those patients requesting this service.

The Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) is a regional centre for cancer treatment and is part of the UH Bristol group of hospitals. The BRI breast surgeons and BHOC Consultants work together as part of a team to provide holistic care to people with breast cancer.

Further information for patients

One stop breast assessment clinics take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Our breast reconstruction clinic is held fortnightly on Fridays.

A post operative seroma assessment clinic is run by the Breast Care Nurses twice a week.

Conditions we treat

All types of breast problems are fully assessed  within the breast clinics. Patients should expect to have a physical examination by a breast doctor, a mammogram and/or ultrasound scan and, if appropriate, a needle test will be taken to obtain cells from an area of concern within the breast.

The BRI offers treatment for all types of breast problems both benign, non-cancerous and malignant (cancerous).

Prevention surgery for patients with a high risk of developing breast cancer is also undertaken with careful planning involving the clinical psychologist.

Treatments offered

Treatments may be medical (drugs/tablets) or surgical, or in some cases careful monitoring and observation.

Conditions that can be treated by medical treatment include breast pain and occasionally some types of breast cancer.

Surgical treatments are undertaken either within the Day Surgery Unit at the BRI or as an in-patient at St Michaels Hospital.

The following types of surgery are performed:-

• Excision of breast lumps (non-cancerous)
• Sub areolar duct excision (for nipple discharge)
• Correctional surgery for breast asymmetry
• Breast reduction
• Wide local excision (lumpectomy)
• Removal of lymph gland from the axilla (armpit)
• Mastectomy
• Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
• Delayed breast reconstruction (undertaken at patient request when initial surgery was a mastectomy)
• Nipple reconstruction
• Areolar tattooing

Contact us

Breast Unit Co-ordinator
Department of Surgery, Head and Neck
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Bristol
BS2 8HW
Telephone: 0117 342 4118

Patient information leaflets