Seroma Formation After Abdominoplasty

I have developed a >10cm seroma on the right side of abdomen following abdominoplasty, 2 wks post op. My surgeon did insert a drain which pulled out after 2 days and the fluid was draining from the insertion site. She was going to reinsert a drain but decided not to. By ultrasound still much fluid remains. She refuses to do a needle aspiration due to infection risks. I am very concerned about the adherence ability of the skin above the seroma. What do I do now, if anything. Thank you

Tags:

seroma

Comment on this

10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Butterfly06 in Sarasota Fl

Doctor Answers (10)
Community Comments (1)

Treatment of Seroma After Tummy Tuck

If the seroma is still present, I aspirate the seroma every week. As of yet, I have not had any infections, although the risk is there (very small risk). Not doing any thing with the seroma, however, is not a good idea, as it will continue to accumulate more fluid.

Re: Seroma after tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

Seroma formation previously was not an uncommon complication to an abdominoplasty. More recently by maintaining more of the tissue beneath scarpa’s fascia this has fortunately become less of a problem. Performed sterilely, needle aspiration is the appropriate management of significant seromas, and I have never encountered an infection related to the aspiration process. This may need to be done on a 1-2 time per week interval until resolution while maintaining compression and limiting... more

Seroma managenent: controversial

There is some controversy in the management of seromas. In my practice, I tend to aspirate these repeatedly 1-2 times a week until it resolves. To the best of my knowledge this has never resulted in infection of teh fluid collection. However, one of my colleagues who is a general surgeon, rarely drains these and states that most will resolve on their own with time.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Seroma after abdominoplasty

I typically aspirate moderately sized seromas with a needle inserted into the fluid collection. Then I recommend a compression binder and some limitations on activity. These need to be followed with frequent visits, as they commonly will recur and require repeated aspirations until resolution. I have never seen an infection with this approach, however it is a risk.

Seroma Should Be Drained

Generally speaking, if done under sterile technique, then there should be very little worry about infection from draining a seroma. A seroma of a small enough size will resolve on its own, but after a certain point, it will just sit there and prevent some skin retraction. I would have another discussion with you surgeon about draining in percutaneously. I hope this helps.

Seromas need to be drained after a tummy tuck if they are large enough

A seroma is a well known complication of tummy tuck surgery. Taking a drain out at only 2 days is a bit early in my opinion as it increases your risk. Once you have one, if it is large enough it is better to aspirate it than to leave it alone. Several repeated aspirations may be needed. I have personally never had a patient get infected from aspiration so I don't worry about that much.

Seroma after Tummy Tuck Procedure

Seroma formation is the most common complication after a tummy tuck. There are certain things that I do to reduce this risk, and I have been able to bring my rate down tremendously. However, when a seroma forms after drain removal, I usually treat it with needle aspiration and compression. I will do this as long as the response is good and the seroma is small. For larger seromas and ones that dont resolve with needle aspiration, which is not very often, I would then... more

Management of Seroma after Tummy Tuck Surgery

Regarding : "Seroma Formation After Abdominoplasty I have developed a >10cm seroma on the right side of abdomen following abdominoplasty, 2 wks post op. My surgeon did insert a drain which pulled out after 2 days and the fluid was draining from the insertion site. She was going to reinsert a drain but decided not to. By ultrasound still much fluid remains. She refuses to do a needle aspiration due to infection risks. I am very concerned about the adherence ability of the skin... more

Seroma after tummy tuck

Seromas or fluid collections after a tummy tuck are very common. In most cases they go away by themselves. In some cases I will refer a patient to radiology to do a needle guided aspiration and drain placement for several days to a week if needed. Speak to your surgeon as this may be a good option. Good luck.

Seroma after abdominoplasty

Seroma is a known minor complication after abdominoplasty. However, it should be treated when identified. Usually during surgery a drain is placed which allows excess fluid to drain instead of being trapped in the tissues. The drain is removed after a few days. In a rare number of people, fluid can collect which forms a seroma. Usually these can be treated with a needle aspiration. This can be performed in the office under sterile technique with very... more