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Liposuction: a less invasive surgical method of debulking plexiform neurofibromas
Srdan Babovic1, Uldis Bite, Pamela S Karnes
1Olmsted Medical Center Department of Medical Genetics Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Background:
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder in humans. The hallmark of NF1 is development of neural tumors. Plexiform neurofibromas are a major source of morbidity associated with NF1. Surgical removal of these particular tumors is associated with a high risk of damage of surrounding vital structures as well as a risk of significant hemorrhage. Surgical debulking of tumors also sometimes leads to extensive scarring, which may be very disfiguring.
Objective And Methods:
We report a novel approach to the surgical therapy of plexiform neurofibromas using liposuction in two patients.
Results:
Debulking of plexiform neurofibromas with liposuction was successful in both patients. Postoperative follow-up 6 months later showed no evidence of tumor regrowth in either case.
Conclusion:
Liposuction may be a preferable surgical method for debulking of superficial plexiform neurofibromas in patients with NF1. This method is less invasive than conventional surgical tumor debulking.