Surgical treatment in a patient with a facial lipoma

Abstract

Lipomas are benign neoplasms composed of mature adipose tissue and represent the most frequent mesenchymal tumors. Their incidence in the head and neck region ranges from 13–20 % of cases; however, oral lipomas are more unusual, comprising only 2.25 %. They are characterized by slow, progressive, deforming, and asymptomatic growth. The treatment of choice is surgical excision of the mass. Pre-surgical planning in such cases must be meticulous to ensure preservation of both facial function and aesthetics. We report the case of a 45-year-old male who presented with a tumor in the left facial region with 3 years of evolution, diagnosed as lipoma, including its clinical, imaging, and histopathological characteristics, as well as its therapeutic management. The present case is located in the facial region, constituting an unusual location; moreover, it presented both extraoral and intraoral involvement. The surgical approach took aesthetics into account through the use of skin tension lines, while avoiding injury to important structures such as the facial nerve; additionally, the case showed favorable recovery and resolution.