Laparoscopically assisted resection of a colonic lipoma

Laparoscopic excision of a lipoma of the sigmoid colon is described. The patient's postoperative recovery was rapid and similar to that experienced in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy. He enjoyed the benefit of complete surgical excision of his disease while foregoing the postoperative discomfort and morbidity of open celiotomy. Because the majority of lipomas are submucosal, endoscopic removal carries an inherently high risk. For those lesions amenable to it, laparoscopic colotomy and excision offers a viable alternative to open laparotomy excision of colonic lipomas and polyps in general.