Is a hematoma immediately after augmentation a surgical mistake?

If you have an hematoma, the way to proceed it’s go to the or and open and cauterize the vessels that’s it, if the hematoma happens in the surgery the surgeon could see a fix that in the moment, probably the Patient has a trouble after the surgery

Some hematomas are obvious and others not. I have been in several situations where I thought there was a possibility of hematoma and waited because it wasn’t as dramatic as one would expect

Dear jenniferOjenny,
I understand your concern. Generally speaking, hematoma can occur after any surgery. And treatment options depend mostly on the size and location of hematoma. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

No, developing a hematoma is not a surgical mistake, but is the risk of any surgery. Even in the best hands with the best care, a hematoma may occur, especially once you go home. Some small hematomas may resolve themselves over a few days to few weeks. Please discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Hematoma is a common complication after most plastic surgery procedures. A hematoma right after the procedure is usually the result of poor pain control causing high blood pressure or maybe post op vomiting causing increased pressure on the area. The most important factor is how they are handled. Hematomas should be immediately recognized and then washed out in the operating room.

Hematomas are not always obvious right away and can be from a variety of causes. It is important if you have concerns about your recovery that you keep in close communication with surgeon and follow all post op instructions. Know the "red flags" to be watching for as you recover from your procedure.

This is a loaded question and different than what you ask in the more detailed question. Almost all patients have some blood in the pocket after BA. Normally it is not noticeable and reabsorbs over time. A larger amount can lead to problems and a higher risk of capsular contracture. The implication of a "Surgical Mistake" is like asking about malpractice and is not possible to answer without more information. Credible Plastic Surgeons do not close wounds with active bleeding going on inside, but bleeding can occur while awakening or transferring after the case is over.

Hematomas are not a sign of a mistake. They happen about 1% of the time. Usually, in my experience, caused from asprin, advil, overactivity, sudden movements, high blood pressure, and of course bad luck.

A delay in diagnosis is certainly possible with relatively smaller hematomas until the swelling goes down in general and one side stays larger or bruising is noted. Small hematomas can be simply watched but my approach is to reexplore them to reduce the chances of capsule contracture.

Good luck

Hi and welcome to our forum!Hematoma occurring after breast augmentation occurs with a frequency of 3%. In the vast majority of cases, it is unavoidable. Visible bleeding during surgery requires immediate attention. Control with ligature or cautery is accomplished. Packing the 4 breast quadrants with gauze is performed after the pockets are created. The gauze pads are then removed sequentially, controlling ALL bleeding prior to closure. The pocket is then irrigated with saline to ensure a clear blood free return. This a routine practice.But sutures may untie, crusts may separate from a cauterized blood vessel, or postoperative injury may be responsible for a postoperative hematoma.Bleeding can be rapid, with sudden breast enlargement , increasing firmness, bruising and pain, readily apparent. Or, it may be insidious with the bleed causing gradual symptom development. Regardless of how or when the bleed began, the treatment is the same (if the hematoma is of significant size). Open, irrigate, and drain...Best wishes...