Is a seroma a complication of surgery?

Is a seroma a complication of surgery?

Typically, seromas form right after surgery when drains are not used. A seroma can still occur up to a month after surgery and the removal of the drains. Though seromas are a common complication of surgery, there are some things that can be done to help prevent them from forming.

What causes seroma after surgery?

What causes a seroma? Seromas develop as a result of damage to blood and lymphatic vessels that occurs during surgery or as the result of an injury. Fluid and cells from the damaged vessels leak into the tissues and form a soft fluid collection.

How do you get rid of a seroma after surgery?

To help get rid of your seroma, a doctor or nurse may:

1. Drain the fluid with a needle and syringe.
2. Drain it more than once.
3. Put pressure on the swollen area.
4. Give you a shot to collapse and seal the empty space (sclerotherapy)

How long after surgery can seroma develop?

A seroma is a sterile collection of fluid under the skin, usually at the site of a surgical incision. Fluid builds up under the skin where tissue was removed. It may form soon after your surgery. Or it may form up to about 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.

How long does it take for seroma to encapsulate?

A small seroma is usually reabsorbed naturally into the body within 10 to 21 days. However, in some cases, the doctor may need to carry out a small procedure which consists of inserting a syringe under the skin and removing the excess fluid.

What happens when a seroma Calcifies?

Sometimes a ‘knot’ of calcified soft tissue remains after the seroma has dissipated. This calcification may show up on follow-up imaging studies, but is of no health concern whatsoever. However, sometimes the accumulation of fluid in a seroma can be excessive, causing the skin to stretch and to sag causing a skin flap.

What kind of surgeries can cause a seroma?

Seromas can occur after a number of different types of surgeries, especially those that are extensive or involve significant tissue disruption. These include hernia repairs, significant plastic surgeries such as breast augmentation or reconstruction, abdominoplasties (tummy tucks), and surgeries performed for breast cancer.

What causes pain and swelling after a seroma?

An inflammatory response occurs, and the severed vessels and tissues will produce clear fluid in response. This is why there is pain and swelling after surgery. In some cases, the fluid forms a pocket, which leads to the formation of a seroma.

What does it mean to have a seroma under the skin?

A seroma refers to the accumulation of clear fluid under the skin, typically near the site of a surgical incision. A seroma usually forms after some type of reconstructive surgery, during which dead space is created. Seromas vary in size and presence of inflammation, but they typically appear as a soft, swollen lump.

When do seromas start to build up after surgery?

Seromas may develop after a surgical procedure, most often at the site of the surgical incision or where tissue was removed. The fluid, called serum, doesn’t always build up right away. The swelling and fluid may start collecting several weeks after surgery.