Is a 10cm lipoma considered a major surgery?
Recently, I was diagnosed with a 10cm lipoma. This area often feels sore and swollen, making it difficult to bend over or raise my arm. Is removing this tumor considered a major surgery?
Doctor's answer (1)
In general, a 10cm lipoma does not constitute a major surgery. However, if the lipoma is in a complex condition, it may be considered a major procedure.
Lipoma removal is a relatively common surgical procedure. Lipomas usually grow in superficial body areas and the procedure is generally simple, typically performed under local anesthesia. The surgery mainly involves removing the tumor mass without extensive resection of surrounding tissues, thus carrying relatively low surgical risk and allowing for quick recovery. Therefore, surgery for a 10cm lipoma is not considered a major operation.
However, if the lipoma extends into the muscle layer, is closely connected to bones, nerves, or blood vessels, is adjacent to or covers vital organs, or if the tumor is large in size with a complex shape, or if the patient has other serious health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, then the surgical risk and complexity increase. In such cases, longer operative time and recovery periods may be required, and the procedure may be considered a major surgery.
Prior to deciding on surgery, patients should consult with a qualified physician, undergo a comprehensive physical evaluation, and learn about the risks and recovery process associated with the operation.
