The Use of Suction-Assisted Surgical Extraction of Moderate and Large Lipomas: Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract.

Solitary lipomas and familial multiple lipomatosis are the most common benign tumors and are very well encapsulated. They are very slow growing and have the potential for recurrence if incompletely excised and a very remote chance for malignant changes. These can be freed from surrounding tissue without difficulty, but because of the fibrous nature of the capsule, its violation is more likely with suction technique and may result in an inadequate resection, possibly leading to recurrence. Furthermore, liposuction alone will not allow histopathological study of the swellings. Therefore, we report here the treatment of moderate (>4–10 cm) and large (>10 cm) lipomas with liposuction-assisted surgical extraction of the capsule via the same wound (1 cm in length). This capsule extraction is aimed at avoiding recurrence and evaluating the histopathological nature of these swellings. 16 patients (nine men and seven women) presented with solitary lipomas (in 11 patients) and multiple lipomas (in five patients) have been successfully treated.

Methods involved 1-cm incision for both liposuction and surgical removal of the capsule. Another 1-cm counter-incision may be needed in case of large size lipomas.

High patient satisfaction was achieved because of the good cosmetic results due to the small postoperative residual scar and the smooth postoperative course. There has been no recorded recurrence in six years postoperative followup.