How to Treat a Hematoma That is Now Infected?

If it is felt you are still bleeding then the bleeding needs to be stopped by reoperating. If it’s old liquified blood which would be brownish and it is felt to be old blood, a drain can be placed through the incision to allow the space to close in. It’s a special drain called a penrose and will allow the fluid to drain while the space closes up. This is a simple way to deal with this and works well especially if the space is is infected. Actually the infection will help the space close but only if it is properly drained.

Thanks for the question and sorry you have had so many problems. YOur PS is doign all the right things. Unfotunately this can sometimes happen. You have been unlucky, bu tht emain thing is that your PS is doign the right thing to treat the area. WIth infected haematomas - it is a case of opening the area up and letting it drain - it might mean leaving the wound open and letting it drain and allowing it to heal by what is called secondary intention. YOu may well have the drainage and a VACuum based dressing placed on the area. This will help to suck out any haematoma. HOwever, prior to applying  this, the area will need to be washed out. You will also be on a course of antibiotics afterwards. Once this area has totally healed, you might well be left with widened scars which might need a revision. So I would be prepared for a longer post operative recovery in your case. Again, it is unlucky and unfortunate but your PS is doing all the right things. He will be as upset as you are with the results currently. I hope this is of help to youBW

Unfortunately, bleeding and hematoma formation can occur when
patients undergo abdominoplasty surgery.When this situation arises it’s appropriate to drain the hematoma and
place drains.When hematomas are drained,
blood that has infiltrated the soft tissue is always left behind and sometimes
can become infected.Under these
circumstances, re-operative surgery is usually always necessary to remove
residual blood and infected tissue.Once
infected, blood acts as an excellent culture media and without removal can lead
to septic complications.For this
reason, it’s appropriate for your surgeon to treat this problem as soon as
possible.