Liposuction of lipomas.

When lipomas reach 4 cm or more in size or are multiple, liposuction becomes an excellent alternative to excisional surgery. The basic concept is that fat lobules are bluntly broken down or curetted by a cannula and then removed through the cannula's aperture by a vacuum force generated from a suction machine. There are few minor sequelae, and these are rarely of a prolonged nature. The benefits of liposuction are decreased surgical time, a shorter scar, a better final contour, and the ability to remove several lipomas through one opening. In addition, liposuction surgery is a useful modality for the removal of lipomas because of the low recurrence rate and minimal malignant potential of these tumors.