Donation Procedure


WHAT IS THE EXACT DONATION PROCEDURE?

  • The donor arrives, is greeted by volunteers, checks in. (5 minutes)
  • She is escorted to consenting area to complete informed consent paperwork. (15 minutes)
  • She is measured for height and weight. (5 minutes)
  • Next, she is escorted to computer area to complete online questionnaire. (10-15 minutes)
  • The donor then goes to waiting area to be assigned to a phlebotomist, where three small vials of blood drawn. (5-10 minutes)
  • She is escorted to examination room, tissue is collected. (20-25 minutes)
    • The skin is cleaned, then numbed with lidocaine.
    • The physician nicks the skin with a scalpel, and the needle is inserted into this incision.
    • Five sample cores are removed from the breast (this amount is approximately the size of three peas).
    • A nurse/surgeon’s assistant holds pressure on the incision for 10 full minutes, then applies a pressure bandage.
    • An ice pack is immediately placed on the breast, inside the bra.
  • Afterwards, the donor is escorted through checkout. (5 minutes)

Total donation time is 60 – 90 minutes. Times are approximate.

 

WHAT ARE THE POST-PROCEDURE EXPECTATIONS?

 

ICE – You need to apply ice (provided ice pack or 4-6 ice cubes with a little water in a zip baggie) 2 more times before bedtime for 15-20 minutes each time.

PAIN – If you need to take pain medication after the procedure, you may take whatever you would normally take for headache, etc. making sure to follow the instructions on the bottle.

DRESSING – Remove the gauze dressing after 24 hours. You may shower after the dressing is removed, making sure to pat the biopsy area dry. The puncture site may not quite “come together”. As long as it is not bleeding, no further bandage is necessary.

COMMON POST-PROCEDURE SYMPTOMS – Bruising and discomfort are common and vary by donor. Sometimes bruising can extend to the entire breast. Bruising can even be in the bottom of the breast even though the tissue is taken from the upper breast. Bruising can remain for up to a month’s time. Occasionally there will be a lump (a hematoma) that forms after the procedure which will also resolve with time. This can be as big as one or two inches, and may take up to several months to resolve. It is important to note that if you are taking aspirin or ibuprofen type medicines, you are likely to experience more bruising.

UPCOMING MAMMOGRAM – If your annual screening mammogram is within 3 months of the tissue donation, the mammogram may reflect changes related to the procedure. This may result in being called back for additional imaging. The KTB will not be responsible for any costs related to this imaging.

PROBLEMS  Please call us for any problems related to the procedure which may include: swelling, redness, warm to touch, fever, bruising that is getting bigger, bleeding, or thick drainage. Call Anna Maria Storniolo, MD at 317-319-7321 (cell) or 317-312-1155 (pager).