Stabilizing the slippery lipoma: Needle marking as a surgical aid

Deep-seated lipomas are difficult to excise due to slippage beneath the subcutaneous plane, resulting in longer operative time and wider dissection. Here, we describe a simple needle marking technique for the localization of lipoma in which the indwelling needle stabilizes the lipoma and serves as a landmark for accurate incision placement and guides dissection. This method is particularly useful for lesions on the back, thighs, or in obese patients where localization is difficult. This technique is quick, inexpensive, requires no additional equipment, and improves surgical precision while minimizing unnecessary tissue handling.