Microdochectomy in India — Duct Excision for Nipple Discharge Cost & Procedure
Microdochectomy in India costs $900–$2,200. Surgical excision of lactiferous duct for benign nipple discharge and intraductal papilloma. Book with Gaf Healthcare.
Estimated cost: $900 – $2,200 · Average stay: Same day
Microdochectomy is the surgical excision of a single lactiferous duct to treat or diagnose the cause of unilateral, single-duct nipple discharge — most commonly caused by an intraductal papilloma, a benign wart-like growth within the duct. India's breast surgery specialists perform this breast-conserving procedure as a day-surgery outpatient operation with an excellent cosmetic result.
What Is Microdochectomy?
Microdochectomy involves the removal of one or a few breast ducts beneath the nipple. The discharging duct is identified by cannulating it with a lacrimal probe or ductoscope and marking it with methylene blue dye. A periareolar incision is made, and the affected duct — along with the surrounding periductal tissue — is excised. Total duct excision (Hadfield's procedure) involves removing all major ducts beneath the nipple and is used when no single duct can be identified.
Who Needs Microdochectomy?
Microdochectomy is indicated for women with persistent, spontaneous, single-duct blood-stained or serous nipple discharge, suspicious cytology from ductal lavage, ductoscopy confirming an intraductal papilloma, and in women concerned about the discharge or at risk of intraductal malignancy. It is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
Microdochectomy Procedure in India
Under local or general anaesthesia, the nipple is examined and the discharging duct identified by gentle pressure. A fine lacrimal probe is inserted into the duct and methylene blue dye injected to mark the duct and its branches. A circumareolar (periareolar) incision is made and the blue-stained duct and periductal tissue are carefully excised. The specimen is sent for histopathology. The areola is re-approximated with fine absorbable sutures.
Procedure Steps
- Identification of the discharging duct by needle cannulation
- Methylene blue dye injection to mark the duct
- Periareolar incision under local or general anaesthesia
- Blue-stained duct excised with periductal tissue
- Specimen sent to histopathology
- Breast tissue approximated — periareolar skin closed
- Dressing applied — patient discharged same day
- Histopathology result available within 5–7 days
Cost Comparison Worldwide
Country — Range — Savings
--- — --- — ---
India — $900 – $2,200 — Save 75–85%
UAE — $1,500 – $3,500 — Save 60–70%
United Kingdom — $3,500 – $7,000 — Baseline
United States — $5,000 – $12,000 — —
Microdochectomy in India costs $900–$2,200 all-inclusive (procedure, anaesthesia, histopathology, and follow-up consultation) — compared to $5,000–$12,000 in the United States.
Recovery & Follow-up
Day surgery procedure — most patients go home the same day. Mild discomfort at the incision site for 3–5 days. Normal activities can be resumed within 3–5 days. The periareolar scar is minimal and usually barely visible at 3 months.
Recovery Tips
- Wear a supportive bra for 2 weeks
- Keep the wound dry for 48 hours then shower normally
- Mild bruising at the periareolar scar resolves within 2 weeks
- Review histopathology results at a telemedicine consultation with your Gaf Healthcare surgeon
Risks & Complications
Rare risks include haematoma (1–2%), wound infection, numbness in the areolar skin from sensory nerve disruption, and cosmetic asymmetry. Intraductal carcinoma found at histopathology requires further surgery — Gaf Healthcare will coordinate this.
Why GAF Healthcare
Gaf Healthcare partner breast surgeons perform microdochectomy using ductoscopic guidance where available for precise identification of the papilloma. Rapid histopathology reporting ensures results before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose the ability to breastfeed after microdochectomy?
Single duct excision rarely impairs breastfeeding in most women since multiple ducts remain intact. Total duct excision significantly reduces breastfeeding ability and should be discussed if future breastfeeding is desired.
Is nipple discharge always due to an intraductal papilloma?
No — causes include fibrocystic change, duct ectasia, papilloma, and rarely intraductal carcinoma. Histopathology after microdochectomy provides the definitive diagnosis.
What if histopathology shows cancer?
Atypical ductal hyperplasia or in-situ carcinoma found at microdochectomy requires wider excision (wide local excision or mastectomy). Gaf Healthcare coordinates oncology review and further treatment planning.
Can I have this procedure done under local anaesthesia?
Yes. Microdochectomy is routinely performed under local anaesthesia with the patient awake but comfortable. General anaesthesia is available for anxious patients.
Will the scar be visible?
The periareolar incision follows the natural edge of the areola and heals to a barely visible scar in most patients by 3 months.