Assessment of the long‐term outcomes of compartmental excision for treatment of infiltrative lipomas

OBJECTIVES: To describe the post-operative long-term outcomes including recurrence rate of infiltrative lipoma in dogs following compartmental resection compared to debulking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine client-owned dogs were surgically treated for infiltrative lipoma diagnosed on histopathology or diagnostic imaging with consistent appearance at surgery. Clinical records were evaluated for signalment, history, physical examination, results of diagnostic imaging and clinical pathology, time to recurrence and post-operative outcome. RESULTS: Infiltrative lipomas were most commonly located in the pelvic limb (41%), predominantly within the thigh (10/29). Recurrence was reported in 9/13 (69.2%) debulking, 1/9 (11%) compartmental and 0/1 radical excision; recurrence was significantly less likely with pre-planned compartmental excision compared to debulking (OR 18.0; 95% CI 1.65 to 196.31). Performing a debulking surgery prior to compartmental excision did not affect the likelihood of recurrence. Median time to representation for recurrence following debulk was 342 days (range 187 to 995). Subjectively, no effect on limb function was reported secondary to compartmental excision. One dog had sinking of the skin overlying middle gluteal compartmental excision. Overall complications were seen in 12 of 25 dogs, predominantly seroma (n = 9). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Compartmental excision of infiltrative lipomas resulted in a lower rate of recurrence compared to debulking and compared with previous reports. No dysfunction associated with myectomy was reported. Compartmental excision should be considered for the treatment of infiltrative lipomas.