A Case of Postoperative Airway Obstruction in Benign Symmetrical Lipomatosis

Benign symmetrical lipomatosis is characterized by progressive growth of fat masses which are located symmetrically on the neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen and groin. A 56-year-old man had no respiratory problems when the first surgery to remove lipomatous tissues on the left side of the nape, back and shoulder was performed. During the second surgery 40 days after the first surgery, however, the symptoms of airway obstruction occurred just after the resection of the right-side lipomatous tissues in the recovery room. The magnetic resonance imaging taken before the surgery revealed a little fat accumulation in the pharyngeal region in this patient. In the cases that have these manifestations, airway obstruction due to benign symmetrical lipomatosis should be carefully assessed and deliberately prevented.