Abscess After Tummy Tuck. How is This Treated?

asked 1 year ago by ttba2011 in Portland
Latest answer by Brent Moelleken, MD
Question viewed 524 times
Tags: abscess, treatment

I am six weeks post op and my belly button is seeping dark, smelly fluid. I have a 2 inch opening at the scar that is taking a long time to heal even though I maintain it with clean gauze. Today I went in and told him that I felt that there was a lot of fluid retention. When he checked a large amount of puss was extracted. He sent this away for a culture. My doctor didn't use drains because he used a suture method to prevent fluid build up. I am now worried that this caused an infection.

10 answers to Abscess After Tummy Tuck. How is This Treated?

Infection after tummy tuck

Infections can occur after any surgery. It is easy to say you should have used drains, but each surgeon's practice is different. Was a fibrin sealant used in lieu of drains? Most surgeons do use drains. The treatment now will involve thorough removal of all infected materials, usually by exploring the wound and cleaning it out well.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Abscess After Tummy Tuck. How is This Treated

I agree, the sutures that you surgeon placed were not the cause of an abscess. You likely had a fluid collection (seroma or hematoma) that became infected. Depending on the size of the abscess and other factors, you may need only debridement and opening and draining the abscess (which it sounds like was done), up to possible re-operation and hospitalization. All of this depends on the extent of the abscess, the result of the culture and how sick you are, if at all... more

Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Drains prevent seromas and infections after tummy tuck surgery

Drains are a must following tummy tuck surgery as there is an accumulation of fluid called seroma that will form regardless of tacking sutures that your surgeon used. This seroma can be a nidus for infections as you have unfortunately experienced.

Arian Mowlavi, MD
Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon

Abscess After Tummy Tuck. How is This Treated?

Standard of care no matter techniques is use of drains. So unfortunately you have experienced the result of poor techniques. You need IV antibiotics and possible re exploration with debridement with excision of any infected materials (sutures) and tissue and DRAINS. Sorry for your issues maybe find another surgeon. I bet this has "never" happened to your chosen surgeon using this technique of suturing the flaps ( one I do not recommend unless some form of drain is used). I have... more

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Abcess - Uncommon Complication

Your surgeon's not using Ribiero-Pollack sutures did NOT cause an infection. Infection is seen in up to 3% or so of tummy Tucks (meaning 97% do NOT have it). In your case, it sounds as if residual blood and seroma fluid has become infected. The treatment MUST involve complete removal of the infected fluid followed by allowing the skin wound to heal by itself. Depending on your anatomy, you MAY need an ultrasound to see if there are pockets of fluid which do not communicate with... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Abscess from abdominoplasty

This is either treated by irrigation and drainage, or if severe and extensive situation, a return to the operating room to evacuate what sounds like a hematoma and the pus, and a thorough washing out of the cavity. But your surgeon should be the one determining the specific treatment.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Abcess after a tummy tuck

This is a rare complication from a tummy tuck. The key to treating it is to be sure it is completely drained and that there is no infected pus still trapped underneath. This can be done by your surgeon exploring the area and maybe also an ultrasound could be done if it isn't clearly drained. Then culture specific antibiotics are given and dressings are changes daily. Eventually it will heal up.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Infection after tummy tuck

Infection is uncommon after tummy tuck, and usually will be noticed after the first week, though late infections can be related to sutures, a fluid collection such as a seroma, and by medical risks such as smoking or diabetes. When there is drainage and odor from the incision line cultures to guide treatment, antibiotics to match the 'bugs', and daily cleaning and care of the incisions is key. Drains do not increase or decrease the risk of infection. Work closely with your... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Abscess after tummy tuck

An infection or fluid collection can happen after a tummy tuck regardless if drains were used or not. In most cases, draining the abscess or fluid collection (which is what your surgeon did) will take care of the problem.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Abscess After Tummy Tuck. How is This Treated?

Occasionally fluid collections will get infected and more rarely the sutures may get infected. When it is a permanent suture it may need to be removed. Howeer, the surgeon may wait If cultures are pending appropriate antibiotics may be prescribed.