Laparoscopic resection for torsion of an omental lipoma presenting as an acute abdomen in a 5-year-old girl

• Published in: Journal of surgical case reports Vol. 2014; no. 7; p. rju072
• Main Authors: Kinjo, Yousuke, Adachi, Yasushi, Seki, Kunihiko, Tsubono, Michihiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 18.07.2014
• Subjects: Case Reports
• ISSN: 2042-8812; 2042-8812
• DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rju072

Primary tumors of the greater omentum are rare. We report a case of a 5-year-old girl presenting with an acute abdomen who had omental torsion caused by a giant lipoma of the greater omentum, which was diagnosed by a computed tomography scan. Laparoscopy revealed a yellow tumor of the greater omentum with a smooth surface. Tumor excision and partial omentectomy was performed to treat the torsion, and the tumor was retrieved through a 4-cm-wide abdominal incision. Macroscopically, the specimen was 80 × 60 × 25 mm in size and 74.8 g in weight, and histopathological findings were consistent with the diagnosis of lipoma. The present case highlights the possible use of laparoscopic surgery for removing large abdominal lipomas, thus avoiding the drawbacks of laparotomy in terms of postoperative pain and prolonged hospital stay.