Benign lipoma is a common skin condition that is caused by an abnormal growth of fat tissue under the skin. Benign lipomas are usually round or oval in shape, soft in texture, and can move under the skin. They usually do not cause pain or discomfort, but in some cases may enlarge and compress the surrounding tissue.

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms of benign lipomas include:

1. Subcutaneous lumps: Benign lipomas are usually round or oval-shaped lumps that are soft and can move under the skin.

2. Enlargement: In some cases, benign lipomas may enlarge and be palpable on the body surface.

3. Symptoms of pressure: When a benign lipoma enlarges and presses on the surrounding tissues, it may cause symptoms such as pain, discomfort or dysfunction.

Treatment

There are several general treatment options available for benign lipomas:

1. Observation therapy: For small, asymptomatic benign lipomas, your doctor may recommend observation therapy. This means checking the size and changes in the lumps regularly to make sure they don't grow larger or cause other symptoms.

2. Surgical removal: For larger or symptomatic benign lipomas, surgical removal is a common treatment option. Surgical excision removes the lipoma completely and reduces the likelihood of it regrowing. Surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, and recovery after surgery is quicker.

3. Suction treatment: For some smaller lipomas, doctors may opt for suction treatment. This treatment reduces the size of the lump by using a fine needle to extract the fat from the lipoma.

Surgical removal procedure

Surgical removal is a common treatment for larger or symptomatic benign lipomas. The following are the basic steps for surgical removal:

1. Anesthesia: Before the procedure begins, the patient will receive local anesthesia to ensure that there is no pain or discomfort during the procedure.

2. Incision: The surgeon will clean and sterilize the skin around the lipoma and then use a scalpel to make a small incision in the lipoma.

3. Excision: The doctor will carefully separate the lipoma from the surrounding tissue and use surgical tools to remove it completely. During the excision process, the surgeon will try to preserve the integrity of the surrounding tissue to minimize post-operative complications and recovery time.

4. Suturing: Once the lipoma has been completely removed, the surgeon will close the incision using sutures. This helps the wound heal and reduces the risk of infection.

5. Post-operative care: After the surgery, the doctor will give the patient some specific post-operative care instructions, including keeping the wound clean, avoiding strenuous exercise and watching the wound for any unusual symptoms.

Ending

Benign lipoma is a common skin condition that, while it usually does not cause serious health problems, may cause discomfort or pressure symptoms in some cases. For the treatment of benign lipomas, observation therapy, surgical excision and aspiration are common approaches. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment for larger or symptomatic lipomas, and it reduces the likelihood of regrowth by removing the lipoma completely. Surgical excision is a relatively simple procedure with a quick recovery afterward. If you suspect you have a benign lipoma, it is important to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.