Excision of the major duct system for benign disease of the breast

A series of 31 patients were treated by total duct excision for nipple discharge, mammillary fistula, duct papillomas, and cysts. Hadfield advocates the operation for many of these benign conditions and notes that subsequent pregnancy is not a problem despite complete excision of the milk ducts. He also notes that the operation is curative for discharge related to duct papilloma.