Image Guided SAVI Scout Insertion Aftercare Advice

This leaflet is designed to give you, or those who care for you, aftercare information following a SAVI scout insertion. It explains what to expect and who to contact should you have questions or concerns.

The Multidisciplinary Team has advised that you should have a SAVI scout insertion under imaging guidance before your breast surgery.

Depending on the findings, this can be either under Ultrasound or X-Ray guidance. In either case, local anaesthetic is given.

Understanding your SAVI scout procedure

Many women diagnosed with early-stage breast disease are opting for breast conserving surgery, also known as lumpectomy, rather than mastectomy (total removal of the breast). Lumpectomy focuses on removing the abnormality, while preserving healthy breast tissue.

A SAVI scout is a “reflector” (a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice) and it’s placed into the lesion (abnormal tissue). The system then uses non-radioactive RADAR waves to find out where the SAVI scout is within the breast. This allows your surgeon to plan the best path to the lesion and precisely locate the lesion during surgery, increasing the probability of complete lesion removal. The SAVI scout is completely passive until activated in the operating room when the Surgeon uses the SCOUT System to locate and remove both the lesion and the SAVI scout.

The SAVI scout is not externally visible after placement and does not restrict your daily activities.

How, by whom and when is the SAVI scout placed?

To make the day of surgery less complicated, the SAVI scout can be placed at the time of biopsy or any time before your surgery.

A member of the breast radiology team who is trained in SAVI scout procedures will carry out the procedure. It will take about 30 minutes.

During the placement, the Surgeon will:

• Confirm the location of the abnormal tissue using imaging
• Use a local anaesthetic to numb the targeted area of the breast
• Introduce the SAVI scout through a small needle
• Confirm the placement of the SAVI scout with a mammogram

The SAVI scout should not be felt after it has been placed and normal activity can be resumed.

A small dressing will be placed over the puncture site.

After the procedure two or more mammograms will be taken to confirm the correct position of the SAVI scout placement. Your surgeon will refer to these during the surgery.

After care

You should be able to drive within half an hour of the procedure finishing and you may return to work and most activities the next day. Avoid vigorous arm movements and heavy lifting for the next 24 hours.

It is important that you keep the dressing dry for 24 hours. Then you may shower the next day and allow water to run over the insertion site. After 48 hours you can remove the dressing. This may be easier to do if it is first soaked in the bath or shower.

The most common risks and possible complications include:

• Pain. If you need something for discomfort, try over the counter pain medicines such as Paracetamol. You must not take Aspirin as this could cause further bleeding.
• Bleeding. Following the procedure, pressure will be put on the area of insertion and a localised dressing applied once bleeding has stopped. Call your Breast Care Nurse or attend Accident & Emergency if you are having heavy bleeding from the insertion site (bleeding which soaks the dressing or is flowing from the site). Apply firm pressure to the site for 10 minutes if this occurs.
• Bruising. There may be some localised bruising and swelling. This should resolve in 48 hours.
• Infection. Contact the Breast Care Nurse if you find any signs of infection such as high temperature, significant swelling, firmness or warmth, increased redness or seepage around the site that is pus-like.

Contact numbers:

University Hospital in North Tees

Breast Care Nursing Team

Telephone: 01642 624371

Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 am

University Hospital of Hartlepool

Breast Care Nursing Team

Telephone: 01429 522387

Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm

NHS choices

Telephone: 111 (when it is less urgent than 999)

Calls to this numbers are free from land lines and mobile phones or via the website at 111.nhs.uk

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Team is here to try to resolve your concerns. The office is based at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. Our contact details are:

Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617

Patient, Public and People with Lived Experience

We are looking for patients to share their experiences of healthcare and to join our Involvement Bank. Working with the patients, carers, families and the general population we support in making decisions about their care can lead to better health outcomes, increased patient satisfaction and a better overall experience. We want to listen and work with you in shaping the future of your healthcare services. To find out more about the Involvement Bank go to our website or contact us at:

Website: www.nth.nhs.uk/about/community/people-with-lived-experience
Email: [email protected]

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The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team at:

Email: [email protected]