Lipomas can form in many shapes, sizes and places on the body.
Lipomas are the most common soft-tissue tumors formed with adipose tissue. They also require a referral to plastic surgeons for safe, effective removal and to minimize and conceal scars. A few facts about lipomas include:
- Lipomas are a common reason for referral to a plastic surgeon
- They occur more often in adults between 40 to 60 years of age
- Lipomas are soft to touch, moveable and usually painless
- Lipomas often grow to more than 6 centimeters in diameter
- They can also occur in younger adults and children
TREATMENTS for REMOVAL of LIPOMAS have typically included ….1) endoscope assisted removal: 2) suction assisted removal, 3) minimal incision removal and 4) remote incision lipoma extraction. These all work and have been used by surgeons for decades to remove lipomas of all types. But, some of these techniques are tedious and require extra equipment (even though they are advanced treatments). I helped pioneer a very simple, safe and effective method that involves a simple incision and a “quick squeeze” to remove lipomas without all the extra instruments used in other methods.
THE QUICK SQUEEZE METHOD FOR LIPOMA REMOVAL….deserves attention amid today’s array of modern, advanced techniques…that require extra time, attention and technology. Once surgeons learn the quick squeeze method and start using it…they realize it’s great benefits….it’s safe, quick, simple and effective with a very low rate of recurrence.
QUICK SQUEEZE LIPOMA REMOVAL…how it works: 1) the lipoma is identified by palpation and its margins are outlined. 2) The area is then infiltrated with local anesthesia and is prepared and draped in standard fashion. 3) An incision approximately one quarter to one third the diameter of the lipoma is made (carried down to the lipoma capsule). 4) The lipoma is then squeezed out through the incision…without any additional dissection.
LIPOMA STUDY…140 lipomas removed, in 50 patients, over the life of this study. These lipomas were located on the face, scalp, neck, thorax, back and flanks, hips/pelvis and on both the upper and lower body extremities. Of the 140 removals….there were only two recurrences. There were no complications or revisions.
Dr. Samir S. Rao, M.D., Department of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C. and I… Steven P. Davison, M.D….DAVinci Plastic Surgery, Washington D.C. setup and carried out this study to demonstrate the efficacy of our “simple lipoma squeeze method.” This method was first described by Kenawi in 1995 and this exposure encouraged the literature to focus more on minimally invasive lipoma removal methods. This method is best suited for subcutaneous lipomas with overlying mobile skin. Deep intramuscular lipomas often found in the back or shoulder region may require longer incisions and more dissection for complete removal. The method is still safe, simple and effective in spite of these factors. Also, our method does leave a small scar directly over the lipoma, but most incisions can be hidden along skin tension lines. Scars typically fade of time…and today we have cosmetic scar topicals that help this process move along quicker.
SQUEEZE DELIVERY TECHNIQUE…for lipoma removal gets them gone in 30 seconds! We successfully demonstrated, and continue to do so with our patients, that with only a small incision and a safe, effective procedure, lipoma removal can be performed quickly without complications! Certainly, this deserves more attention!
OK…next blog will cover Lipomatosis…to help you better understand lipomas and the need for their removal. Also, I will present info on “keloids” in the next few blogs. These are not exciting topics….but the information is certainly beneficial for those who suffer with these problems.
THE SUN is coming…The days of beach going and picnics etc will soon be upon us…skin cancer awareness month is May…look for helpful info so you can enjoy your playtime. Now is the time to schedule those procedures that will get you “beach body ready! Http://www.davinciplastic.com.
Steven Davison M.D.
“DAVinci….where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”
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