Radioactive seed vs wire localization for nonpalpable breast lesions: A single institution review

The aim of this study was to compare wire localization (WL) and radioactive seed localization (RSL) for nonpalpable breast lesions with regard to margin status, re‐excision rate, procedure length, and complications related to localization. A retrospective review of the electronic health records at a single institution was performed. There was no difference in re‐excision rate, margin positivity, volume of tissue removed, and complication rate for RSL vs WL (P = 0.9934, P = 0.9934, P = 0.6645, and P = 0.4716 respectively). The only difference was a longer OR time, RSL = 104.408 minutes vs WL = 82.386 minutes. (P = 0.0163). RSL and WL are comparable techniques for localization of nonpalpable breast lesions.