Successful surgery on 'giant' lipoma weighing more than 8kg

The Department of General Surgery, Nghe An Oncology Hospital has just successfully operated on a lipoma weighing more than 8kg for patient D.TH (56 years old, residing in Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province).

Doctors perform surgery to remove a lipoma. Photo: BVCC.

In early March 2025, patient D.TH was hospitalized with a large tumor in the left thigh, causing severe limitation of movement. Through clinical examination combined with paraclinical tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), doctors discovered a very large fatty tumor (about 182x188x250mm), located deep in the muscle, compressing the vascular bundle and important nerve branches.

Recognizing that this was the direct cause of motor impairment, the expert panel unanimously agreed to prescribe surgery to completely remove the tumor, relieve compression, and restore motor function to the patient.

Notably, the patient had a history of surgical removal of recurrent lipomas up to 4 times at many medical facilities across the country. However, the tumor continued to grow back. Unlike normal lipomas, Ms. H.'s lipomas were not only localized under the skin but also deeply invaded the muscles, intertwined between large muscle bundles, making the surgery complicated and potentially risky.

The entire tumor weighing more than 8 kg was successfully removed. Photo: BVCC.

BSCKII Nguyen Van Chuong - Deputy Head of General Surgery Department, Nghe An Oncology Hospital, head of the surgical team said: " The tumor has a complex lobular structure, located between large muscle bundles, close to important blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, the surgical team had to perform the dissection very meticulously and carefully to minimize the risk of damage to neighboring structures" . After many hours of intense surgery, the entire tumor weighing more than 8kg was successfully dissected and removed.

After 48 hours of surgery and post-operative care, the patient was able to walk independently, had good limb sensation, and showed no signs of abnormalities. After a general health assessment, the patient was discharged from the hospital, continued to be monitored and treated according to a specialized protocol.

After only 48 hours, the patient was able to walk on his own, had good limb sensation, and showed no signs of abnormality. Photo: BVCC.

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Chuong, lipoma is a benign tumor, formed by the excessive proliferation of fat cells under the skin. Usually, lipoma develops slowly and causes little pain. However, when the tumor grows to a large size, it can compress nerves and blood vessels, restrict movement and seriously affect the quality of life.

In the case of patient D.TH, the rapid recurrence and enlargement of the tumor may be due to genetic factors, constitution or lifestyle. In addition, the possibility of residual tumor tissue from previous surgeries is also the reason why the tumor continues to grow," said Dr. Chuong.

Diep Phuong - Khanh Tam

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/phau-thuat-thanh-cong-khoi-u-mo-khung-nang-hon-8kg-172250321130414499.htm