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Should my Plastic Surgeon Use Sodium Morrhuate After Draining my Seroma from a Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by Richland in Richland, WA
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 655 times
Tags: drainage, seroma

I had a tummy tuck 4 1/2 weeks ago and have had my drains removed for about a week and a half. I developed a seroma about 3 days after the removal of the drains. It has getting bigger since then. I talked to my plastic surgeon yesterday and he wants to aspirate it tomorrow and then inject sodium morrhuate to help the skin to adhere. Is this safe? Is this a good idea? Is this a normal solution to a seroma? Thank you!!

8 answers to Should my Plastic Surgeon Use Sodium Morrhuate After Draining my Seroma from a Tummy Tuck?

+2

Seromas Following Body Surgery

Seromas after abdominoplasties are a nusance at the least and if not taken care of can lead to the need for further surgery. I have done many body procedures; lots of them after massive weight loss. Lifting the tissues off the abdominal muscles so they can be pulled tight leaves large raw surface areas that must stick back together. Think of it as a big rug burn. It weeps the same clear yellow fluid it would on your knee or elbow. So drains... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

+1

Sclerosant for chronic seroma

Use of sclerosant agents in a chronic seroma is controversial. Sodium Morrhuate is an option but is generally condidered unnecessary.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Seromas and teatment

In most cases of seromas, I find that serial aspirations often "burn" it out.  I used tetracycline on one occasion to induce an inflammatory response to seal a seroma cavity.  If they continue to accumulate, surgery may be indicated.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Seroma after Tummy Tuck

Should my Plastic Surgeon Use Sodium Morrhuate After Draining my Seroma from a Tummy Tuck? I had a tummy tuck 4 1/2 weeks ago and have had my drains removed for about a week and a half. I developed a seroma about 3 days after the removal of the drains. It has getting bigger since then. I talked to my plastic surgeon yesterday and he wants to aspirate it tomorrow and then inject sodium morrhuate to help the skin to adhere. Is this safe? Is this a good idea? Is this a normal solution to... more
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sclerosants for seromas

Most post-operative seromas can be effectively treated with aspiration, although it may be required more than once. I have used sclerosing agents successfully for seromas, but typically reserve that option for situations where aspiration alone does not work. It is also important to use compression garments and limit strenuous activity after drainage procedures to allow the tissues to adhere.
Lawrence Iteld, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correction of recurrent Seroma (fluid Collection) after Tummy Tuck

I completely agree with Dr. Rand's comments. I have a significant experience with Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery and have never had to use sclerosing (severe inflammation provoking) agents to correct a prolonged draining seroma. To prevent such a situation the drains should be kept longer - until the drainage is below a certain threshold. If a seroma appears, it must not be allowed to accumulate but needs to be aspirated (using a syringe) several times a week. In my experience... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Seroma draining

I have found that just draining the seroma once or twice and if need be putting a drain back in will more than take care of it.  I personally have not used that inconjunction with seroma drainage
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck seromas

I have personally never needed to do that but you should ask your doctor what their experience is with sodium moruate.  I used to do that or use tetracycline in malignant chest fluid collections way back when I was in general surgery but never since.  For me, a series of aspirations usually solves the problem and rarely the insertion of a Penrose drain is necessary.  The greatest problems we see with seromas are in the massive weight loss patient, not the routine tummy... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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