TILBURG / DEN BOSCH – The Jeroen Bosch Hospital (JBZ) in Den Bosch and the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital (ETZ) in Tilburg were the first hospitals to use the revolutionary new localization technique Pintuition in breast-conserving operations. By marking a tumor in the breast with a magnetic marker the size of a grain of rice, patients can be operated on in a more patient-friendly and efficient manner, with better cosmetic results. The system was developed by Sirius Medical from Eindhoven.
The radiologist applies a magnetic marker to the site of the tumor with a needle, accurate to the millimeter. Patricia Jansen (ETZ) and Maud Bessems (JBZ), surgeons who performed the operations, are enthusiastic about the new method. “This has so many advantages, for the patient and for the operator. Until now we worked with a metal anchor wire. Then a thread protrudes from the chest, which is very uncomfortable for the patient. The advantage for the surgeon is that you know exactly where to operate because of the sound the magnetic seed makes. This allows us to make even smaller scars and safely remove less from the breast. ”
Less stress
In addition, the marker can be placed well in advance, simultaneously with another appointment. This is in contrast to the wire, which must be placed the day before the operation. Jansen: “This new method creates less stress and burden around the day of surgery. Very nice for the patient, because it is of course a very exciting emotional time. ”
Clinical study
The Pintuition is a precise and user-friendly invention of Sirius Medical from Eindhoven. In order to test these, a clinical study was carried out in collaboration with the Jeroen Bosch Hospital in Den Bosch last year. It showed that the method is safe and performs as intended for breast cancer patients.
Maud Bessems, surgeon and research leader: “In recent years we have been working at the JHA with radioactive seeds for the localization of tumors. The strict regulations place a considerable burden on patients and the Breast Center. Sirius Pintuition, like radioactive seeds, has the benefits of wireless localization, but without the radioactive burden. In addition, the system offers millimeter-accurate feedback, which is an improvement over the current standard. It is great to work with a regional start-up such as Sirius Medical to improve surgical techniques for breast cancer patients and to be able to lead this first clinical study of the Pintuition system. ” The results of the study will be presented at the European Congress of Oncology Surgeons (ESSO 2020) on October 23.
Add value
Bram Schermers, who developed Pintuition at the Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and is co-founder of Sirius Medical: “We developed this system with the support of, among others, the Brabant Development Company (BOM). It’s great to see that something that started very small is now being put into practice. I am very proud that hospitals and patients are now reaping the benefits of this. This is really a very important moment for Sirius Medical, because this is exactly what we want to do in: adding value for doctors and patients. ”
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