Greater/Lesser Occipital Neuralgia & facelift drains concerns

Question

I have occipital neuralgia. I'm going to get. FL/NL. Will the drains interfere with my occipital neuralgia? The doctor said it's possible to not use drains on me bc of my occipital neuralgia. I'm conflicted bc the doctor uses drains for all other patients. I'm wondering if not using drains would potentially negatively impact my healing . I'm concerned using drains will somehow aggregate my occipital nerves bc of drain proximity to occipital nerves.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Interesting circumstances. I would think that having a facelift with occipital neuralgia in itself, may cause an escalation in your pain. I am assuming that you will have your neurologist or pain management physician on board to help manage the discomfort after surgery. In my opinion, the use of drains versus not using drains, doesn't really change whether you will have an increase your neuralgia symptoms, or whether you would have an adverse outcome of your facelift. There are plenty of surgeons that do not use drains, but use a very firm, bulky dressing that stays in place for one to two days.

Decision by your Plastic Surgeon not to use drains I believe it's very reasonable, and it should not affect your outcome.

Best wishes.

ESJ
#truthandtransformation

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Although there is some variation in drain placement after a facelift, the placement and exit point in my facelift technique should not cause a flare-up of occipital neuralgia.  I believe that drains allow the deeper soft tissues and skin to heal slightly better and have found them to be useful in deep plane facelifts.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Placement of  JP drains for one or two days after a facelift, should not affect your occipital neuralgia. They can also be placed in such a manner to avoid the area of that nerve.

Greater/Lesser Occipital Neuralgia & facelift drains concerns

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Greater/Lesser Occipital Neuralgia & facelift drains concerns

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