Quite often, patients avoid the surgeon because they are afraid of a painful operation and visible scars that may remain after it. These concerns were justified when there was only one method of removing lipomas through a scalpel incision followed by sutures.
What can modern surgery offer?
Currently, wen can be removed using different methods, namely:
- With a scalpel
- Laser
- Radio wave method
- Vacuum aspiration (lipoaspiration, liposuction)
To figure out how best to remove wen, let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Traditional classic scalpel removal
An incision is made directly above the lipoma with a scalpel, followed by suturing.
The length of the incision should either correspond to the size of the lipoma or slightly exceed its size. Otherwise, the risk of developing a relapse due to “missed” fragments of the lipomatous node is extremely high. The shorter the incision length, the higher the risk of leaving lipoma fragments unremoved. After hemostasis (stopping bleeding, which inevitably develops after any incision), the node is isolated from the surrounding tissues, removed, then the wound cavity is inspected, hemostasis is controlled, drainage into the wound cavity and layer-by-layer sutures are applied to the wound.
The technique is reliable and widely used.
The main disadvantage is the need to make incisions, and if there are several lipomas, then over each one. Accordingly, as many lipomas a patient has, there are as many incisions with stitches. And after the wound heals and the stitches (even cosmetic ones) are removed, scars form .
Scars after lipoma removal using the open method (through incisions)
For single lipomas, and when they are not located in the most visible place, this method is completely justified and does not cause much cosmetic discomfort. But if the lipoma is in a visible place, especially if it is large or there are several of them, then the cosmetic effect (replacing “bumps” with scars) is very doubtful.
Removal of multiple lipomas on the arm using incisions
The most common complications are seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, infection, hypertrophic scar, pigmentary changes in the area of removal, keloids, relapse, etc. In addition, scars will remain at the site of the incisions .
Sutures after removal of multiple lipomas on the arm with incisions
Since almost 99% of patients who treat lipomas complain of cosmetic discomfort, the cosmetic effect after removal is very important, since replacing lipomas with postoperative scars from incisions is a very questionable result , especially in aesthetically significant areas.
Scar after lipoma removal through an incision 13 years later
Therefore, in our Clinic, we have practically not used this method for removing subcutaneous lipomas, both single and multiple, for more than 10 years, with rare exceptions, due to the existence of much more effective high-tech methods, which will be discussed below.
Causes of lipoma formation
Currently, researchers have not been able to come to a clear conclusion about the reason why lipomas form. Among the most likely causes of the appearance of wen are malfunctions of the thyroid gland, poor-quality nutrition, which provokes the accumulation of toxins in adipose tissue, genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, problems in the functioning of the liver and gall bladder.
As a rule, wen do not degenerate into malignant formations. However, the problem is that although lipomas do not grow into neighboring tissues, they compress them when they grow in size. This provokes metabolic disorders and can cause pain. In addition, malignant tumors, such as liposarcoma, are often “masked” as lipomas. Therefore, in some cases, it is better to remove lipomas.
Thus, the reason for contacting a doctor should be an increase in the size of the formation or its shape, as well as the appearance of any physical discomfort associated with the lipoma. Causes for alarm are redness of the skin over the formation, itching or peeling.
According to doctors, it is necessary to remove fatty tissues located next to a cluster of blood vessels or nerve cells. In addition, formations located in areas of the skin that are exposed to frequent external influences should be cut out.
Dimensions and location
An ordinary wen is a round bulge 1-3 cm in diameter, painless to the touch. There are large ones - up to 10 cm and multiple formations. They can develop in any part of the body where there is adipose tissue, and even on internal organs. Wen are most often found in places where the sebaceous glands are localized:
- on the face (areas around the nose and eyes);
- on the head and neck (along the hairline, on the back of the head);
- armpits and arms;
- on the chest or back.
Growing lipomas located inside any organ, compressing tissue or causing pain must be eliminated. It is worth consulting a doctor if the wen has a leg that can twist and lead to tissue necrosis. These growths on the face, which is exposed to various influences every day and should look attractive, are always unpleasant and must be removed.
Lipoma removal methods
Today, there are several methods for removing wen. The decision on which method to use for surgical intervention is made in each specific case by the doctor after diagnosing the formation. It includes visual examination, palpation, ultrasound, CT or MRI, and biopsy. Tumors are removed by conventional surgical excision, endoscopy, radioknife, or laser removal. Laser lipoma removal is considered one of the most effective and innovative methods.
Diagnostics
As a rule, a wen is diagnosed during palpation during an examination by a specialist, and in most cases additional tests are not needed to remove the lipoma - the neoplasm is clearly visible. However, there are cases when the disease can be detected by chance. We are talking about breast lipoma, which can appear in women after menopause. As a rule, such a tumor is not dangerous, since it very rarely develops into cancer.
In addition, other ailments may resemble a wen, and then methods such as biopsy or ultrasound, MRI and radiography are prescribed. In the first case, the doctor will take part of the sample to check under a microscope. As for ultrasound, x-rays and MRG, this diagnostic method allows us to identify disorders in the internal organs.
Pros and cons of laser removal
Laser lipoma removal is a method that is in high demand, despite the rather high cost of the procedure. The reason for this is that laser removal has an impressive list of undeniable advantages compared to other methods of combating fatty tissue. We list only the main ones.
- Thanks to the ability to adjust the equipment as accurately as possible, unnecessary damage to the tissues located next to the lipoma is eliminated.
- The laser itself coagulates the blood vessels, so the operation is virtually bloodless.
- The possibility of developing postoperative complications is practically excluded, since the laser beam has a bactericidal effect, disinfecting the surgical field.
- The non-contact nature of the method eliminates the possibility of wound infection by pathogenic organisms during surgery.
- After the operation there are no unaesthetic scars left.
- During surgery, the tumor is not completely destroyed, as a result of which histological analysis can be performed.
- The number of relapses with laser removal is negligible, since this method allows you to remove the lipoma along with the capsule.
- After the intervention, the patient recovers completely within one to two weeks.
However, like any surgical intervention, laser lipoma removal also has some negative characteristics. If the tumor is very large, the laser beam may accidentally affect nearby vessels and nerves. If the tumor is very tiny, then the laser simply destroys it, leaving no material for histological analysis.
Laser removal is not used if the wen is located very deep in the tissues. In this case, only traditional surgical excision will be effective.
Finally, the financial aspect is of considerable importance. Laser removal is an extremely expensive operation, so not everyone can afford it.
Prevention
There are no direct recommendations for preventing the appearance of lipomas, since their appearance does not depend on diet or lifestyle. The only method of prevention is regular monitoring (once every six months) of tumors (this is especially true for people who are genetically predisposed to the appearance of various types of tumors).
In addition, a wen may appear in another place after surgery, so you should carefully monitor changes in your body and consult a doctor in a timely manner.
How is laser lipoma removal performed?
Laser excision of wen is usually performed by a general surgeon. The procedure can also be performed by an oncologist or plastic surgeon. Before the procedure, the patient must undergo all necessary tests and undergo an ultrasound. In some cases, a biopsy of the formation is performed to determine its structure. If the lipoma is located on the scalp, the required area is shaved.
Laser removal of fatty tissues is performed under local anesthesia. Lidocaine injections are used as an anesthetic. The lipoma removal procedure itself lasts from half an hour to forty minutes, depending on where exactly the tumor is located and what size it is.
First, the doctor uses a laser beam to cut the skin over the wen and spread the edges of the incision to allow wider access. Through this incision, the wen capsule is captured with a clamp. The surgeon pulls it up and uses a laser to remove the lipoma from the surrounding tissue, and then finally cleans out the location of the lipoma. If the neoplasm is small, the wound is not sutured - it is simply covered with a sterile bandage. If the wen was large, a cosmetic suture is applied to the wound. One of the advantages of laser surgery is that the beam of the device promotes tissue regeneration, as a result of which a postoperative scar does not form.
In most cases, the patient can return to normal life almost immediately after surgery. In particularly difficult cases, several days of bed rest may be necessary.
After removal of the wen, the tumor tissue is recommended to be sent for histological examination to definitively exclude the presence of malignant cells.
Risk factors for neglected conditions
A negative result of untimely medical care or self-medication can be:
- progressive growth of neoplasms;
- pain due to compression of tissues and nerve fibers;
- infection, redness and purulent discharge;
- poor circulation with the risk of tissue necrosis;
- the impossibility of getting rid of large lipomas without noticeable scars;
- attacks of suffocation caused by large formations on the neck;
- increased risk of transformation into malignant tumors.
Remember : you should not try to remove such a tumor yourself at home by cauterization, using rubs and lotions prepared according to “folk” recipes.
How to effectively remove a lipoma?
The wen itself is not capable of dissolving, and it will not be possible to cure it using conservative methods or folk remedies. Not all methods of combating these tumors are equally effective and will not get rid of them forever. The specialists of the Constanta Clinic in Yaroslavl have accumulated extensive experience in successfully removing lipomas surgically.
Unlike purely cosmetic procedures using laser or liquid nitrogen, surgery has a number of advantages:
- Possibility of cancer prevention . The material removed by the surgeon after the examination makes it possible to accurately determine the type of tumor.
- Substantiality of removal . The lipoma is cut out from the root, which prevents its reappearance.
- Minimum cost of fat removal compared to other procedures.
- The effectiveness of surgical intervention, which allows you to cope even with large or multiple lipomas in one session.
What do we offer patients with lipoma?
The Clinic has created comfortable conditions for removing fatty tissue without hospitalization or general anesthesia. The short surgery is performed on any part of the body, including the sensitive skin of the face and the area around the eyes. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so the patient does not experience pain. The operation is performed under sterile conditions by experienced surgeons using modern surgical equipment. Our doctors use a traditional scalpel, radiosurgical knife, and endoscopic equipment to remove fatty deposits on the face through a minimal incision.
After complete healing of the cosmetic seam, only a small glossy round pink mark remains in place of the wen. In its fresh form, it can easily be corrected with various ointments and creams with collagen.
How to behave after laser lipoma removal
The question of how to behave after laser removal of a wen worries many patients. Let us hasten to reassure them - getting rid of lipoma with a laser is considered the most gentle method. No complex additional manipulations are required after the procedure. In most cases, the patient returns home immediately after removal of the wen.
If there is pain or discomfort at the extraction site, your doctor may prescribe pain medications. During the first few days after surgery, a slight increase in temperature is possible, which does not require taking any additional medications.
Rehabilitation
After surgery, the patient also needs rehabilitation. The doctor will tell you in detail about all the nuances in a leaflet with individual recommendations, which is given to the patient. General tips are:
- You can continue your normal lifestyle with only minor restrictions. So, it is necessary to care for the area of wen removal according to the recommendations of a specialist.
- It is necessary to treat the suture line and surrounding areas of the skin with an antiseptic and change sterile dressings every day.
- It is necessary to avoid traumatization and infection of the wound.
- It is effective to use sunscreens with SPF 30 or more if the area is exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
- After 7-10 days, in case of surgical removal of the tumor, you must come to remove the sutures. A control inspection will also be carried out here.
- Sometimes a histological examination is required; based on its results, the doctor prescribes individual recommendations for rehabilitation.
Contraindications for laser fat removal
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There are relatively few contraindications for laser lipoma removal. First of all, such manipulations are not performed on people who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Laser removal is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. It is also worth rescheduling the procedure if the patient has recently suffered from a cold or infectious disease.
Complications and consequences of the procedure
As a rule, laser removal of wen does not cause complications. Only in very rare cases, at the site of removal of large formations, a cavity may appear in which blood and serous fluid accumulate. To solve this problem, drainage is used.
To avoid negative consequences, the wound should not be wetted for a week. For a month you should avoid visiting the sauna and swimming pool, as well as sunbathing.
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