Lipoma Resection

Lipoma resection is a surgical procedure to remove a lipoma, a benign (non-cancerous) tumor made up of fat tissue. A lipoma is usually a soft, movable lump that grows slowly just under the skin, although they can occur deeper in the body as well. While they can appear anywhere on the body, they are most commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs.

Physicians are unsure what causes lipomas. However, lipomas often occur more frequently in individuals with specific medical conditions, such as:

• Dercum’s disease
• Hereditary multiple lipomatosis
• Gardner syndrome
• Madelung’s disease

Indications 

Lipomas are generally painless and harmless, but may need to be removed under the following circumstances:

• If they are causing pain or discomfort
• If they are growing quickly or changing in appearance
• If they are located in a visible area and affect the patient's appearance
• If they interfere with normal body functions or movements
• To rule out serious conditions, such as a liposarcoma (a malignant tumor)

Preparation

In general, preparation for lipoma resection may involve the following:

• Imaging studies, such as an ultrasound or MRI, to determine the size and exact location of the lipoma.
• Blood tests to ensure the patient is fit for surgery.
• A review of your medical history, including allergies and medications/supplements.
• You may be asked to avoid certain medications and supplements that can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding.
• A signed informed consent form will be obtained from you prior to the surgery.

Surgical procedure

In general, the procedure for lipoma resection may involve the following steps:

• The area around the lipoma is numbed with local anesthesia. For larger or deeper lipomas, general anesthesia may be used.
• A small incision is made over the lipoma.
• The lipoma is carefully separated from the surrounding tissues and removed.
• The incision is closed with sutures (stitches) and covered with a sterile dressing.

Postoperative care

Patients usually go home the same day. Mild pain or discomfort at the incision site is common and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Activity restrictions include abstaining from swimming, water sports, saunas and steam rooms, exercise, and heavy lifting/strenuous activities for at least a couple of weeks to allow the incision to heal. Wound care instructions are provided to keep the incision area clean and dry. A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to check the healing process and to remove any non-absorbable sutures.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, lipoma resection comes with certain risks. These include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Scarring
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain/tenderness

Summary

Lipoma resection is usually considered a minor surgery, although it can be more invasive if you have multiple lipomas, or if they are very large or deep. Most lipomas are harmless and painless, but in some situations, removal is recommended.