Minimally invasive techniques and newer endoscopic surgical techniques are
being introduced to aesthetic and reconstructive procedures at an accelerat
ing pace. A new and modified technique of endoscopic excision of large enca
psulated lipomas is presented and the versatility of creation of an optical
cavity and incorporation of balloon dissection is discussed in two cases.
Large encapsulated lipomas were removed endoscopically via transaxillary in
cisions and no immediate or late complication was observed. Endoscopic remo
val of lipomas offers several advantages over conventional direct excision
and liposuction such as avoiding blind manipulation and fragmentation of li
poma mass, and unsightly scars. One drawback of this technique can be lengt
hy operation times, which have been near two hours for the presented cases.
We conclude that endoscopic removal of tumors from a relatively remote sit
e is beneficial in treating such encapsulated tumors and we speculate that
endoscopy will prevent unsightly scarring in important areas while decreasi
ng the operating time as experience is gained.