Liposuction: a less invasive surgical method of debulking plexiform neurofibromas.

Olmsted 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.

PMID: 12828709 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]