Laser removal of lipoma (fat) on the neck

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.

Contraindications

Laser lipoma removal is not possible if the following contraindications are present:

• Herpetic rashes or other inflammatory processes in the area of ​​the surgical field.
• Carrying a child, breastfeeding.
• Menstrual bleeding.
• Diabetes.
• Disturbances in the functioning of the immune system.
• The doctor has doubts that the tumor is benign.
• HIV infection.
• The location of the lipoma in close proximity to vital vessels.
• Acute infectious diseases. First, you will need to get rid of the disease.
• Hypertensive crisis.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system associated with cardiac dysfunction.

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.

Preparing for surgery

Before the operation, the patient will need to undergo a number of preparatory procedures.

The doctor prescribes the following examinations:

• General and clinical blood tests.
• Submission of urine for general analysis.
• Cardiac examination.
• Donating blood for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis.

Ultrasound of the tumor, CT or MRI is performed earlier, at the stage of diagnosis. If the lipoma has many blood vessels, then angiography may be performed.

In some cases, for example, with a breast lipoma, the patient is prescribed a biopsy before surgery. During the procedure, a puncture is made and the contents of the tumor are taken for histological and cytological analysis. This allows you to make sure that the neoplasm is indeed benign. In other cases, a biopsy sample is obtained during surgery. Based on the results of the study, the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy is decided. If the patient had a true lipoma, then further treatment (after removal of the tumor) is not carried out.

In the case when the patient suffers from an acute or chronic infection, it is necessary to get rid of the inflammation and only then go for surgery.

If the patient’s history shows allergic reactions to medications, then tests are performed for the injected anesthetic.

When the lipoma is located on the scalp, the surgical field must be shaved. At least 3-4 hours before the upcoming intervention, the patient should refuse to eat food.

Doctors strongly recommend not smoking before surgery. The presence of nicotine in the blood increases the risk of complications. You should not drink alcohol for several days before surgery.

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.

1. Thanks to the ability to adjust the equipment as accurately as possible, unnecessary damage to the tissues located next to the lipoma is eliminated.
2. The laser itself coagulates the blood vessels, so the operation is virtually bloodless.
3. The possibility of developing postoperative complications is practically excluded, since the laser beam has a bactericidal effect, disinfecting the surgical field.
4. The non-contact nature of the method eliminates the possibility of wound infection by pathogenic organisms during surgery.
5. After the operation there are no unaesthetic scars left.
6. During surgery, the tumor is not completely destroyed, as a result of which histological analysis can be performed.
7. The number of relapses with laser removal is negligible, since this method allows you to remove the lipoma along with the capsule.
8. 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.

Preparation stage

The lipoma removal operation is performed under anesthesia, since the patient still experiences minor pain. Regardless of the method of removal, the patient is scheduled for an examination 2 days in advance, where he must:

• donate blood and urine for general examination;
• do an ultrasound of the lipoma;
• donate blood to check for HIV, syphilis;
• be examined by a cardiologist;
• if the wen is located close to bone tissue, take an x-ray.

Lastly, after all of the above has been checked, the patient is examined for allergies to painkillers. If available, anesthesia is selected individually for each patient.

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.

Rehabilitation period

The postoperative period in this case will directly depend on how the operation was performed. The laser method has a short recovery period - 5 days, while the open surgical method - 14 days.

After surgery, in order to avoid undesirable consequences, the wound is treated with disinfectants. It is advisable to change the bandage on the wound daily. In addition, you need to establish proper nutrition, since any surgery requires energy and nutrients.

The laser method is popular and widespread, requiring the use of expensive equipment that is not available in all clinics. However, it is more reliable and effective compared to other surgical methods.

In Moscow, prices for lipoma removal surgery vary depending on the method of operation. The most affordable price is from 500 rubles for surgical removal, laser is a little more expensive - from 550, radio wave - from 1000 rubles.

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.

Vacuum aspiration – removal of lipomas without cuts and stitches – the most advanced technology

An effective high-tech method for removing both single and multiple subcutaneous lipomas.

After preliminary anesthesia, through a minimal puncture of 4-6 mm in an inconspicuous place, a special cannula is inserted into the lipomatous node through the subcutaneous tissue, through which the lipomatous tissue and its capsule are removed using vacuum aspiration.

The capsule is removed entirely, as it is tightly fused to the lipomatous tissue.

If there are several nodes nearby, then they are all removed through one puncture.

Immediately after removal, ultrasound monitoring is performed to monitor possible remaining elements of the lipoma.

And if such are detected, they are immediately removed.

The edges of the puncture do not require sutures, because its length is no more than 5-6 mm.

Therefore, the operation is completed by applying an aseptic sticker.

The last stage is elastic compression of the operation area - special compression hosiery is put on. This promotes better skin contraction (tightening), an immobilization effect is achieved, which accelerates recovery processes.

After 24-36 hours you need to change the bandage; you can do this at home yourself.

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.

What is lipoma?

Lipoma is a benign soft tissue tumor consisting of fat cells. To the touch, the lipoma is soft and slightly mobile (if pressure is applied to the tumor, it can be slightly moved from side to side under the skin). Sometimes the lipoma is well contoured under the skin. Lipomas occur in 1% of all people.

Lipomas can vary in size (from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter). Lipomas can also vary in number on the body in one person (single and multiple). Multiple lipomas usually occur in individuals who have a genetic defect. This disease is called “hereditary lipomatosis.”

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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How to get rid of lipoma

Anyone who has encountered the appearance of a lipoma on the body or face has thought about ways to remove it.

If the lipoma is small, does not reach 2 centimeters in diameter and does not grow further, it may resolve on its own over time. Otherwise, it must be surgically removed. This can be done by a surgeon in our clinic, or you can try to remove the lipoma yourself.

In addition to radical local measures, it is necessary to eliminate possible systemic causes. The first thing you need to do is balance your diet and lifestyle. It is necessary to undergo a full examination of hormones and metabolic processes. It is these pathological factors that can negatively affect the functioning of the sebaceous glands and provoke the development of a skin defect. Regular consumption of green tea will cleanse the body of toxins and toxic substances. To successfully remove the wen and avoid its recurrence, it is necessary to limit the consumption of animal fats and focus on eating vegetables and fruits.

What symptoms do you see a surgeon for:

• Presence of hernial protrusion
• Daggering pains in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Pain in the right hypochondrium
• Bitterness in the mouth
• Nausea
• Presence of neoplasms on the skin
• Swelling and redness of the skin
• Bone fractures and bruises
• Wounds of any location
• Vomit
• Enlarged and painful lymph nodes

How to treat wen on the head

If you suspect that a wen has appeared on your head, you should contact a dermatologist who will conduct an ultrasound examination. In some cases, a biopsy and cytological analysis may be required. You should be careful with wen that appears on the scalp. If you are careless, you can damage them while combing. This threatens not only bleeding, but also the possibility of the lipoma developing into a malignant formation. Therefore, doctors recommend removing wen in this part of the body as soon as possible.

One of the methods to cure a wen on the head is drug treatment. In addition, you can remove the wen using a laser or scalpel. Drug treatment of lipoma is carried out using injections of a specific medicine. Special medications administered inside the wen promote the resorption of the latter. They are prescribed by a doctor in case of small lesions. Often the effect of such treatment is noticeable no earlier than after 2 months. Large wen on the head is recommended to be removed surgically.

Possible complications

If lipoma removal at home was carried out with violations of antiseptic rules or there are any concomitant chronic diseases or characteristics of the body, a number of complications may develop.

• Bleeding often occurs, which can be quite difficult to stop.
• Wounds after lipoma removal may not heal for a long time, hurt and bleed.
• If antiseptic rules are violated, a secondary bacterial infection may occur and purulent inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue may develop.
• Incomplete removal of the lipoma may lead to re-formation.

To avoid such a scenario, you can resort to non-operative traditional medicine. The most appropriate solution would be to seek help from the specialists of our clinic, who will remove the lipoma competently and without subsequent complications.

Diagnostic methods in surgery:

• Doppler in surgery
• Colonoscopy
• Angiography
• CT scan
• Gastroscopy
• MRI
• Abdominal ultrasound
• X-ray
• Endoscopy

Prices:

How to remove a wen on the head surgically

Most often, removal of wen on the head is performed surgically. As a rule, the operation lasts no more than 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. It is aimed at completely removing the fat capsule. This must be done to ensure that the disease does not recur in the future. If you do not remove the capsule, it will be almost impossible to get rid of the wen under the skin on the head.

After the operation, the doctor prescribes special treatment for the patient. It consists of caring for the wound formed at the site of removal of the wen, as well as taking anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. Please note that the operation can only be performed on children who have reached the age of five years.

Why can lipoma occur on the abdomen?

There are not so many reasons for the occurrence of lipoma on the abdomen; as a rule, experts identify only the main ones:

• The disease is inherited.
• There are too many toxins deposited in the body, this is due to poor nutrition and the introduction of an incorrect lifestyle.
• If an infection enters the body, which disrupts the functioning of the pancreas.

Even experts cannot indicate more precise reasons why a lipoma may occur on the abdomen, but in any case, all doctors recommend paying attention to this disease and eliminating it in time, after which you will naturally need to lead a correct lifestyle.

Of course, some people prefer not to pay any attention to the tumor, especially if it does not bother the patient in any way, but the patient will definitely feel some discomfort, because a benign tumor can interfere with wearing clothes.

Useful information about visiting a surgeon at the clinic:

• How to prepare for a surgeon's appointment
• What diseases does the surgeon treat?
• Calling a surgeon to your home
• Surgical care in the clinic
• Surgical care at home
• What symptoms should you contact a surgeon for?
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