The anesthesia

In case of larger lipomas or a large number of lipomas, it is sometimes necessary to perform the removal under general anesthesia. Especially when resecting some lipomas, a short anaesthesia is more comfortable for the patient than several punctures of a local anaesthetic. An anesthesiologist should of course clarify in advance whether the patient is suitable for anesthesia.

In addition to a detailed anamnesis, which includes the measurement of the vital parameters and the drug status, blood tests, usually an ECG and information about the general anesthesia are carried out. The patient must give his consent to the measure. The anaesthesia is initiated by the anaesthetist and assisting nurses.

The patient receives maximum oxygen through a mask. The anaesthetic is injected via an intravenous access, usually in the arm. These drugs are propofol or a painkiller (analgesic).

The patient becomes increasingly tired, feels dizzy and finally falls asleep. After the patient has fallen asleep, he can be intubated by the anesthetist using a breathing tube. This ensures that the patient is ventilated.

During the procedure, the patient’s vital parameters are consistently monitored on a monitor. Towards the end of the operation, the medication is reduced and the patient wakes up. If he is awake enough and can breathe on his own, the tube is removed and then monitored for a few hours in the recovery room to detect the after-effects of the operation and the anesthesia early on. He can then be transferred to a ward.

Risks and complications of surgery

In surgery, the removal of the lipoma is a routine procedure, but as with all operations or treatments, complications can occur. Which complications occur in detail depends, among other things, on the method. Every skin incision carries the risk of developing an infection.

If bacteria get into the wound, it can become inflamed and the healing process is slower and worse.The typical signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, warming and pain can occur. After an inflammation, there is also the risk that the edges of the incision adapt less well and a larger scar is formed. Nerves may be injured during the operation or during the other treatment options.

The severity of the symptoms then depends largely on the extent of the injury to the nerve fiber. Symptoms such as tingling, loss of sensitivity, numbness can be the result. Treatment under anesthesia or with local anesthesia can lead to intolerance reactions to the drugs used.

Therefore, it is important with both methods that the patient is monitored and can react quickly if an allergic reaction occurs. In addition to the risks and complications mentioned above, a new formation of the lipoma may occur under certain circumstances. In this case one speaks of a relapse.

In this case a new intervention is necessary. The removal of a lipoma by the classical surgical method requires a skin incision, which basically carries the risk of scarring. Whether and how large a scar will develop is basically also related to the constitution of the skin and genetic factors.

In order to ensure that the healing process can take place without complications and that the incision is hardly visible, the patient should pay attention to good aftercare. The wound should be kept clean and dry and should be treated daily with appropriate wound and dressing material. In addition, depending on the location of the surgical wound, high stress or pressure should be avoided so that the skin edges can adapt well and grow together.

If the wound is well closed, it should not be exposed directly to the sun’s rays. Otherwise, discoloration of the skin can lead to a more visible scar. Scar ointments, which are available in pharmacies, can be applied regularly afterwards.

They keep the skin supple and prevent the scar tissue (colloid) from overgrowing. If serious complications occur during healing, so that a scar does not look cosmetically appealing and the patient is very dissatisfied, one can consider the possibility of cutting out the scar again and resecting the tissue. Under favorable circumstances, a renewed healing can lead to a better result.

In contrast, the more minimally invasive procedures such as injection lipolysis and laser lipolysis do not leave any visible scars. The incisions needed for the treatment are very small and heal quite fast and well. During the treatment, the doctor should make sure that the treatment is done evenly and over a wide area, so that behind the skin area is even and smooth. After the swelling has subsided, the skin should be firm and without dents.