Removal of lipoma and sebaceous cyst

A lipoma is a soft, mobile, painless lump of fat under the skin. A sebaceous cyst (more precisely an epidermoid cyst) is a small closed pouch under the skin, filled with whitish material, often with a small central black dot. Both are benign and very common. They can appear anywhere: back, shoulders, neck, scalp, arms. Removal consists of taking out the whole lump through an incision suited to its size, following the natural lines of the skin where possible for a discreet scar. For a cyst, the pouch is removed completely to prevent recurrence. The wound is closed with a few stitches, sometimes absorbable. The removed tissue is sent for analysis under the microscope to confirm its nature. The procedure is offered when the lump is bothersome (rubbing, clothing), growing, unsightly, repeatedly infected (cyst), or when its appearance calls for confirmation. An infected, painful cyst is treated first, then removed once the inflammation has settled. Very large or deep lipomas may require imaging beforehand and general anaesthesia. At Clinique Pasteur Tunis, most of these removals are performed under local anaesthesia, as day surgery, with a return home the same day and simple instructions for scar care.