Removal of atheroma is the only method of treatment. Atheroma after removal

Atheroma is a benign tumor that forms in the form of a cystic cavity at the site of a clogged sebaceous gland. The main etiological factor in the development of pathology is mechanical trauma to the skin. The treatment of this disease is exclusively surgical. Atheroma, operation which was carried out in compliance with all medical rules, is not prone to relapses and malignant degeneration.

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Atheroma: removal surgery today

The classic operation for excision of an atheroma neoplasm is carried out in two main options:

Surgical curettage of atheroma.

The operation begins with local infiltration anesthesia, which was first proposed by Vishnevsky. To do this, the surgeon forms a novocaine “cushion” from a 0.5% anesthetic solution. An anesthetic is injected through a thin needle into the site where the benign tumor transitions to the skin. Thus, the doctor achieves injection detachment of the affected tissues from the epidermis. During anesthesia, care should be taken as there is a high probability of damaging the integrity of the cystic cavity. The success of radical intervention largely depends on complete anesthesia.

After anesthesia, the surgeon cuts the skin with a linear incision. The edges of the surgical field are raised and moved apart. Subsequently, the epidermis is separated from the affected tissues. This manipulation is greatly facilitated by infiltration of the area with an anesthetic solution.

Removal of the atheroma itself is carried out after complete isolation of the cyst using clamps. In this case, the surgeon tries to disconnect the benign neoplasm without damaging the integrity of its capsule.

After excision of pathological tissues, atheroma transferred to the histological laboratory and the dissected skin is sutured. In most cases, the operation ends with fixation of the drainage in the operated area, which is necessary to prevent the accumulation of pathological fluid.

Therapy of atheroma in the stage of suppuration.

The formation of pus in the cystic cavity requires a special approach to surgery. This is due to the fact that the accumulation of purulent masses is not always accompanied by the death of cells of the atheroma capsule. This process leads to the formation of a fistula, through which purulent fluid is periodically released. In this case, even after careful scraping of the cystic contents, a relapse of the disease is observed.

To prevent it from forming again, many practicing surgeons prefer to initially eliminate the purulent inflammation and remove the cystic cavity already in the “cold” period.

Surgery begins with local anesthesia, which includes the introduction of an anesthetic around the perimeter of the benign neoplasm, 1 cm away from the center of the tumor. After this, the surgeon pierces the capsule with a puncture needle and sucks out the maximum possible amount of purulent fluid. In some cases, to improve the outflow of pus, a mixture of antibiotic and anesthetic is injected into the atheroma cavity. Sometimes complete collection of purulent masses requires several replacement needles. This manipulation must be carried out on the part of the unchanged skin.

After cleansing the atheroma cavity, a broad-spectrum antibiotic solution is pumped into it. This therapy lasts on average one week.

Relief of a purulent process is considered a direct indication for traditional surgery.

Further radical intervention includes complete excision of the benign neoplasm along with the cystic capsule.

Innovative operations to remove atheroma

In modern surgical clinics, patients are offered the following ways:

Laser excision, which involves melting mutated cells using a laser beam. The main advantage of this technology is the positive cosmetic result of laser therapy.
Radio wave method. In this case, the cystic tissue is excised using high-frequency radiological rays. This treatment also has a number of advantages in the form of absence of scars and a satisfactory aesthetic effect of the operation.

The situation when a lump remains after removal of the atheroma is one of the conditions that can cause a lot of problems for a person. Diagnosis of a tumor of any nature requires immediate medical intervention. In this case, it does not matter at all whether it is benign or not. In any case, you should not delay seeking qualified help. Even with the most optimistic forecasts, there is always a risk that the tumor will degenerate and become filled with cancer cells. Therefore, when a tumor is detected, doctors insist on its elimination. In most cases, such operations are successful, but sometimes some remind themselves after a while.

Atheroma and methods of its removal

Atheroma is one of the types of benign neoplasms that can occur almost throughout the human body. Most often it is diagnosed in areas of hair growth, and the main reason for such localization is the fact that it develops from an ordinary sebaceous gland. It is these features of the skin that allow you to cleanse the body, remove waste products from it, and participate in its thermoregulation. In a normal state, a pimple forms at the site where the excretory canal is blocked, which matures over time, cleansing the skin and restoring the functionality of the gland.

However, sometimes, as a result of a blocked sebaceous gland, a rather specific condition occurs, characterized by the accumulation of fatty tissue under the surface of the skin. It is this that is called atheroma, which can cause certain problems to a person. As a rule, they appear when the tumor becomes inflamed, causing discomfort and even pain. At the same time, unlike an ordinary pimple, atheroma does not mature, but remains in its original inflamed state, which can affect neighboring tissues. Based on this, its removal in the initial stages is the key to successful treatment and preservation of the patient’s health.

The following methods have shown the greatest effectiveness in combating such manifestations:

cryodestruction;
electrocoagulation;
laser treatment;
surgical intervention.

All these methods can bring positive results and eliminate atheroma. In most cases, the operation is successful, and the formation is completely neutralized, leaving no trace behind. However, sometimes situations arise when certain difficulties arise after its removal.

The operation to remove atheroma is not classified as complex. Usually the duration of the procedure does not exceed 20-40 minutes. Only in particularly difficult cases, characterized by the development of an inflammatory process, is its removal delayed. In case of such a development, a surgical method is used, which implies a long recovery period after surgery. One of the possible complications is the formation of a kind of compaction, which forms at the site of the former atheroma and is its secondary manifestation. There may be several reasons for this phenomenon, ranging from incomplete elimination of the primary manifestations of the disease to genetic deformations of the skin.

The postoperative lump has a fundamentally different structure and is a mobile compaction that does not have specific pigmentation or has some cyanosis.

All other negative signs of secondary atheroma are completely absent, i.e. it does not cause any discomfort at all, and the risk of its degeneration into a malignant neoplasm is minimal. It is only a cosmetic defect that can be completely ignored. However, if the bump remains on the face, it is still better to remove it again.

As a rule, such operations also take place quickly, and if performed well, the atheroma is completely eliminated and does not appear again.

Conclusion

Atheroma is a certain type of benign neoplasm, consisting of adipose tissue and formed as a result of impaired functionality of the sebaceous gland. Moreover, the consequences of its formation can cause a person many problems. Based on this, the best solution is to remove the tumor at the initial stage. Sometimes situations arise when, some time after the operation, the tumor returns again in the form of a kind of lump. In turn, it is practically incapable of causing problems to a person or transforming into a cancerous tumor, and its removal is necessary only to ensure a cosmetic effect.

Atheroma is a benign subcutaneous soft formation formed as a result of blockage of the sebaceous gland duct, i.e. delayed secretion of the sebaceous glands. Atheroma is also called a sebaceous cyst. Atheromas are benign neoplasms (not cancerous), but sometimes they become a chronic source of infection, which leads to other complications.

Atheroma appears in an area of the body where there are many sebaceous glands. Typical localizations of the pathological process: face; parotid areas; scalp; breast; interscapular area on the back; armpits; the back of the neck, as well as the perineal area. The appearance of a characteristic formation under the skin in these areas, as a rule, indicates the formation of atheroma.

True (primary, congenital) develops in utero from calved cells of the epidermis or tissue), and false (secondary, acquired) develops due to blockage of the ducts of the sebaceous glands, which prevents the outflow of sebum.

Metabolic disorders, increased sweating, hormonal imbalances, the use of inappropriate cosmetics, and increased keratinization - peeling of the skin can provoke the appearance of skin atheromas.

Symptoms of atheroma

Atheroma, like the majority of neoplasms of the sebaceous glands, does not have pronounced clinical signs. The only signal that indicates the appearance of atheroma is the detection of a structure-dense formation on the body.

Among the symptoms of atheroma are the following:

the appearance of formation on the surface of the skin;
dense elastic structure of the neoplasm;
clear outlines of education;
subcutaneous capsule is movable;
in the center of the atheroma is the excretory duct.

If the atheroma is inflamed:

skin hyperemia in the area of education;
pain on palpation;
mild swelling;
pus from the atheroma sometimes breaks out.

Retention cysts of the sebaceous glands or secondary atheromas are more common. People with oily or porous skin, those suffering from seborrhea, and hyperhidrosis are susceptible to such neoplasms. Frequent cases of the development of atheroma in people whose skin is affected by acne and pimples. The atheroma in this case is dense and painful, and the size reaches 3-4 cm.

Symptoms of atheroma are determined visually, and to confirm your guesses, contact a dermatologist, who, upon examination and palpation, will determine the exact diagnosis.

Which doctors should I contact for atheroma?

Removal of atheroma

The only treatment for atheroma is removal through surgery. Three types of surgical removal of atheromas are used: radio wave, laser and classical methods.

The choice of removal method is made by the patient after the doctor explains about the quality and effectiveness of removal of the formation. Laser and radio wave removal of atheroma shortens the rehabilitation period and leaves no traces. Sometimes, when a small atheroma is inflamed with the formation of purulent masses inside it, the atheroma is not removed, but opened and drug therapy is prescribed.

Classic method

Laser photocoagulation

Using a laser, the atheroma cavity is burned out along with the capsule. In this case, stitches are not required, since a crust forms, which gradually heals. This method removes small cysts less than 0.5 centimeters in size. If the size exceeds 1 centimeter, then laser excision will be performed. First, the surgeon will make an incision, and only then will treat the cavity with a laser.

Radio wave method

The radio wave method involves the use of high-frequency radio waves for removal, under the influence of which the atheroma tissues become very hot and evaporate, leaving no traces. A small wound will remain at the site of the procedure, which usually heals quickly. There are no scars or scars left. Removal is performed under local anesthesia.

Complications after surgery

After removal of the atheroma, tissue fluid with blood clots sometimes accumulates in the resulting cavity. The accumulation of this fluid becomes a medium for the development of infection. To prevent this from happening, a pressure bandage or drains are applied, through which the liquid flows out over the next 24 hours and the formation of an infectious focus is prevented.

After removal of the atheroma, an increase in body temperature is sometimes noted during the first day. But if the temperature rises to 38C, swelling and pain occur in the area of the postoperative wound, you should urgently contact the surgeon who performed the operation to prevent infection from entering the postoperative wound, which rarely happens. In this case, after examination, the doctor sometimes prescribes antibiotics.

Treatment of atheroma in children

Removal of atheroma in a child under three years of age is not recommended. But in practice, inflammatory processes in atheroma often occur in children and cause restless sensations - pain, redness, and an increase in the size of the formation.

Removing atheroma from a child is complicated by the need to perform the operation under general anesthesia (which is harmful to the child’s body), because local anesthesia used in adult patients will not allow the surgeon to perform the necessary measures.

The doctor performs an examination, the results of which will allow you to establish an accurate diagnosis and make the right decision about immediately removing the atheroma from the child or postponing the surgical intervention for some time. If the operation is postponed, control over the development of atheroma is established.

To avoid the consequences of atheroma, adhere to the correct diet and rational diet. Comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements. And most importantly, if you have the slightest suspicion of atheroma, consult a doctor to prevent further development of the process.

Is it possible to treat atheroma at home?

It is impossible to cure an atheroma cyst at home. Such cysts are not subject to spontaneous resorption. Grandmother's recipes and folk remedies will not help. Traditional methods slow down cystic growth, but are not able to eliminate atheroma.

Squeezing or cutting a cyst at home is not a safe activity. Squeezing or removing the contents of the cyst will provide temporary relief. The pressure in the cyst will decrease, the atheroma will become smaller, but will soon fill up again and continue to grow.

Treatment at home is possible for acute inflammatory processes of neoplasms, in which surgical intervention is not performed. Antibiotic preparations are prescribed for external use, in the form of injections and tablets.

Folk remedies for treating atheroma

You should not use home remedies to remove atheroma without consulting your doctor. Some traditional medicine recipes only help get rid of small lesions.

Ointments

Lotions and tinctures

For atheroma, lotions and tinctures are used:

plantain;
dandelion;
wormwood;
coltsfoot;
ammonia.

Compresses

Sea water

The use of sea water will help relieve the inflammatory process if the cyst is hyperemic. It is necessary to treat atheroma by reducing irritation. Take sodium bicarbonate, salt. Add 1 tsp. half a glass of water. Stir until completely dissolved. The resulting solution is used to thoroughly treat damaged skin.

Honey-sour cream mixture

Mix in a 1:1 ratio until smooth (mush): salt, sour cream, honey. Apply to atheroma every day. The procedure time is 20 minutes.

Causes of atheroma

More often, atheroma occurs due to blockage of the excretory duct of the sebaceous gland or swelling of the hair follicle.

Swelling of the follicle occurs due to damage. As a rule, one hair grows from one follicle (hair follicle), and after injury and hair removal, the exit from the follicle is sometimes blocked, for example, due to increased testosterone levels. The remaining part of the sebaceous gland continues to secrete sebaceous secretions and, as a result, the former follicle increases in size and turns into atheroma.

Other reasons:

frequent use of cosmetics that close skin pores;
insufficient compliance with hygiene rules;
metabolic disorders leading to thickening of the secretion of the sebaceous glands;
increased skin oiliness;
hormonal disorders.

Also, the causes of atheroma are dermatological diseases, which are characterized by hyperfunction of glandular formations, disturbances in the natural desquamation of epithelial cells or thickening of the skin:

acne;
hyperhidrosis;
seborrhea.

Diagnosis of atheroma

Diagnosis of the formation is based on the location and appearance, as well as the patient’s sensations.

Atheroma is characterized by clear boundaries, absence of pain and the presence of a black dot on the surface of the wen - a blocked entrance to the sebaceous duct. However, such a wen is also similar to a lipoma. Therefore, for a complete diagnosis, additional morphological or histological studies are performed, the results of which confirm or exclude the malignancy of the formation.

Prevention of atheroma

scrubs;
peelings;
masks;
steam baths;
plastic massage.

If you are prone to the disease, reduce your consumption of foods that contain animal fats and carbohydrates.

Measures to prevent the formation of atheroma:

a diet limiting animal fats, refined sugars, spices, and salt;
daily hygienic shower or other water procedures;
compliance with personal hygiene rules;
treatment of seborrhea, acne, dermatitis, and other skin infections;
finding and eliminating the causes of excessive sweating.

Questions and answers on the topic "Atheroma"

Question:Good afternoon, on the 7th I had an atheroma removed on my nose, on the 12th everything became very inflamed, it felt like a new one had formed, like a burn, what could it be? I took antibiotics after the operation, why did the inflammation appear again? Thanks in advance.

Answer: Most often, the appearance of pain is associated with an attached infection. The postoperative wound becomes inflamed and pus may form. Inflammation must be treated, which is carried out in a hospital setting. It will be necessary to remove the purulent focus.

Question:Hello! A year ago I had an inflamed atheroma removed. I was told to come back in a month to have it completely removed. I didn’t go because there were no complaints about her. Is it dangerous?

Answer: This increases the likelihood of relapse.

Question:After removing the atheroma capsule on day 2, a headache began in the frontal region. Is this normal?

Answer: If healing proceeds normally, the headache is not associated with removal of the atheroma.

Question:Good afternoon The surgeon refuses to remove the inflamed atheroma because... increased blood sugar. Is he right? And what to do in this case?

Answer: All operations have contraindications, but atheroma can be removed using different methods (section).

Question:Good afternoon, I have atheroma on the left eyelid, I will remove it. But the doctor said that because of this I have retinal detachment in my eye and a burning sensation in my eyes, I am taking drops of tsipromed. Should it be removed or not?

Answer: It must be removed - this is the only way to get rid of it and possible complications.

Question:Hello. My son (17 years old) has atheroma of the right parotid region. Should I delete it or not? What complications can arise in both cases? Thank you.

Question:Hello, in 2015, an inflamed atheroma on the lower back was removed. The capsule has already burst. During 2015-2017. the place became inflamed 6 times and the pus was removed, i.e. every 3-4 months. What can you do?

Answer: Hello. The reason for the recurrence of atheroma is the insufficient radicalism of the first operation. In order to avoid relapse, it is necessary to remove the atheromatous capsule completely. The most optimal method for this is the radio wave removal method.

Question:After the removal of a suppurating atheroma on the left cheek, I have been dizzy and slightly unwell for a week. What is the reason for this and is this condition dangerous?

Answer: Hello. A common complication is an increase in body temperature to 38. Your condition may not be related to the operation. Tell your doctor about this.

Question:They opened up an atheroma on the chest. Everything seems to be fine, but some kind of internal compaction remains after 4 days after opening, the lump is hard when palpated. What does this mean, we have to open it again, not everything came out?

Answer: Hello. If it was an inflamed atheroma, then most likely you just had the purulent focus opened and drained; now, when the inflammation subsides, you need a second operation - removal of the atheroma capsule, otherwise everything will happen again. Check with your healthcare provider for details.

Question:Hello! Today the contents of the atheroma were opened and removed. What preventive measures should be taken after the operation to avoid infection in the area of the former atheroma?

Answer: Hello. Recommendations should have been given by the attending physician. General tips: the seams under the bandage are treated with brilliant green in the morning and evening, the next day no treatment is required; the bandage should not be wetted; temporarily refrain from washing the operated area. Usually you should come back for a dressing change in two days. After a week, the stitches are removed.

Question:Hello! There has been an atheroma on the earlobe for about half a month, about 0.3x0.3 cm. I went to the surgeon, he said that there is no need to remove it until it becomes inflamed, but just wipe it with vodka 3 times a day. What should I do?

Answer: Hello. If you insist, they will remove it for you. This is a benign neoplasm.

Question:Hello! I had an atheroma removed in my groin. That's what the doctor said. There was a lot of pus. After removal I felt a thickening. Almost 4 months passed and the little one appeared again, it seems that it was next to the old one. When they removed it, they didn’t send anything for histology - how scary that is. Should I remove it surgically again now or wait until the doctor comes out at the laser clinic and remove it with a laser?

Answer: Hello. The atheroma was not removed, but the abscess was opened. Relapses are possible with such operations. However, it could be another atheroma. If it bothers you, you need to delete it.

Question:Hello! My mother (60 years old) had a decent-sized atheroma removed on her back; it broke through before visiting the doctor. After removal, on the same day the temperature rose to 39, the cervical lymph nodes were significantly enlarged, and in the morning the temperature was 37.2. Please tell me if this is normal, should I take an antibiotic? The doctor said that such a temperature is impossible due to atheroma and there is no need to take anything, just visit dressings.

Answer: Hello. The temperature may rise, antibiotics may be needed, but the attending physician must decide for himself.

Atheroma is a fairly common neoplasm. How does atheroma behave after removal? What needs to be done to prevent atheroma from reappearing after removal?

At its core, atheroma is a soft tissue lesion that is benign in nature. It can occur when the sebaceous glands are blocked and in most cases must be surgically removed.

Features of postoperative care

To ensure that the tumor does not reappear after removal, it is important to provide competent care after surgery. Surgical sutures are removed in most cases after a week. The operated area should be treated daily with a weak antiseptic solution. For the first few days, it is not recommended to wet the affected skin surface with water, otherwise the healing process will slow down.

If the pathological area is located in places of constant friction against healthy skin or clothing, dressings cannot be avoided. It is important to keep the wound completely clean, otherwise an abscess may occur.

About complications

Postoperative complications in this case are quite rare. With any surgical intervention, there is a possibility of damage to blood vessels. This can lead to open bleeding. In this case, the damaged vessel is sutured, after which special coagulants are used.

An inflammatory process may also spread to the applied sutures due to the addition of bacterial flora. In this case, the patient may complain of redness of the skin, itching, and low-grade fever. The inflammatory process is treated by taking antibiotics. If the inflammation does not stop and continues to progress, surgical intervention is resorted to.

After surgery there is always a risk of relapse. This is due to incomplete excision of the affected tissue and poor quality of the operation. That is why you should carefully choose a surgeon and trust your health only to a qualified specialist with extensive experience in such work.

What to do to avoid inflammation

To ensure that atheroma does not form again, and the inflammatory process does not bother you, you should follow certain recommendations of specialists. These include the following:

1. careful personal hygiene. A few days after surgery, you can wash your ears with soap and water.
2. Use of antiseptic solutions in the first days after drug intervention.
3. Timely visit to a specialist to remove stitches.

In addition, the doctor must carefully remove the mutated tumor tissue. Only in this case can inflammation be avoided. At the first signs of atheroma, experts recommend not to hesitate and contact an otolaryngologist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the tumor can quickly develop into a malignant one, and then treatment will be difficult, and in some cases impossible.

How will the tumor behave after removal? Immediately after surgery, quite strong painful sensations are possible, as well as wetting of the wound surface. In this case, a specialist may prescribe painkillers. A few days after the stitches are removed, gradual healing of the incision begins. If the operation is successfully performed, only a small, almost invisible scar remains at the location of the atheroma.

This procedure is performed in almost all surgical offices, and it can be performed free of charge or at a reasonable price. No preparation for surgery is required; the patient can come to the office at any time of the day. The procedure takes approximately half an hour, after which the patient can immediately go home and lead a normal lifestyle with some restrictions. During the operation, local anesthesia is used, so the manipulation is tolerated easily and painlessly by patients.

Ask a Question

Atheroma or tumor that occurs due to blockage of the sebaceous gland can fester and cause pain, which is why hematologists and surgeons recommend removing the atheroma to prevent its reappearance.

The removal operation takes no more than one day and, as a rule, does not cause complications with proper care. Let's consider how to care for the operated area to avoid troubles.

Proper care

If the operation was performed using a scalpel, the surgeon will apply stitches. When using the laser or radio wave method, no stitches are applied. Stitches will be removed approximately a week after the procedure, and sometimes sooner.

If the removal of atheroma involved a serious surgical intervention, for example, a procedure was carried out for enucleation of a giant cyst located on the head under the hairline, bandages will be required.

After removing a large purulent cyst or atheroma, the wound is treated with spruce to prevent inflammation of the scar.

For two weeks after surgery (this is how long the healing process lasts), you must follow the doctor’s recommendations:

Do not wet the removal area for at least two days.
If indicated, use anti-inflammatory absorbable agents topically.
If necessary, treat the wound daily with an antiseptic.
Wear a bandage or a clean hat (if the operation was performed on the scalp). This will prevent infection from entering the wound.

The speed of wound healing and the likelihood of a scar depends not only on the methods used by the surgeon, but also on the characteristics of the patient’s skin.

What may worry a patient after surgery?

Serious complications after removal of atheroma are extremely rare. However, some patients may experience some discomfort, which is within normal limits and passes quickly.

Like fibroid removal, atheroma enucleation may cause a slight increase in body temperature. This occurs if the operation was performed against the background of a cold or exacerbation of a chronic disease. This is very rare, since the doctor diagnoses the patient’s condition before the operation.
There may be some swelling at the removal site.
Accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue. This phenomenon is combated by applying a pressure bandage or inserting a drainage tube.
Secondary infection of the seam if the doctor’s recommendations and hygiene rules are not followed.

Complete healing of the scar after cyst removal takes no more than 3 months. During this time, the scar completely resolves and disappears. To speed up this process, the doctor may prescribe special ointments that promote healing.