Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Surgery for Upper Extremity Lipomas.

BACKGROUND

Lipomas are benign neoplasms arising from fat tissue, with an incidence in the upper extremity of 1%-3,8%. There is scarce literature on the outcomes of the treatment of lipomas in this region. The objective of this study was to assess clinical manifestations and outcomes of surgery for upper extremity lipomas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The sample comprised 40 patients, including 26 women (65%) and 14 men (35%), at a mean age of 37 years, with lipomas located in the upper limbs. Treatment outcomes were assessed at a mean of 4.2 years after surgery in 27 patients from this group.

RESULTS

Most of the tumours (29 cases, 73%) were located in the forearm and arm, with 11 patients (27%) presenting with lipomas of the metacarpus and wrist. In 35 patients (87%), lesions were located superficially, within subcutaneous tissue, whereas in 5 (13%) they were located more deeply, in the metacarpus and in the forearm muscles. The follow-up assessment was conducted as telephone interviews in 27 patients. No recurrence was noted. Seven patients (26%) complained of mild tenderness of the postoperative scar.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Lipomas are moderately frequent benign lesions occurring in the upper limb. 2. Surgical treat-ment is effective and the recurrence rate is very low.