Seroma after mini arm lift? (Photo)

Question

1 month post op and have had this drained 6 times already. Then injected with Kenakort 3 times. I had surgery in Columbia and live in the states. I've been in contact with my Doctor and he said to keep draining it and compress and eventually my body will absorb. It's hard and semi-painful, sensitive. Any other suggestions? I feel like it's cacooned already!

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Although it is difficult to tell by the photos, certainly one option is to continue serial drainage of the area and hope that the cavity eventually collapses and closes.  Another option can be to place a drain in the area to help collapse the pocket.If neither of the above solutions work then the last resort is to go back into surgery to remove the seroma cavity (capsule) to help close this off.Hope that helps.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about treating a seroma after a mini arm lift. Seromas are pretty rare. Seromas after a mini arm lift are exceedingly rare; either way, it sounds like you had a seroma, and it is not going away with serial aspirations. I would suggest you continue with the aspirations until the fluid is gone. I would suggest you have it aspirated every 48 hours. If it continues to collect fluid, you may consider inserting a drain for more removal if it is not an option or impractical. You may require resection of the seroma under local. This can be done in the office through a small incision. The lump and scar tissue may have to be directly removed. Another alternative is to make a small incision in the seroma pocket and insert a piece of gauze, allowing the seroma to pass and drain. All in all, seromas eventually burn out on their own without surgical intervention. With appropriate treatment, the seroma will eventually go away. I hope I helped to answer your question regarding how to treat a seroma after a mini arm lift. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

The advice given is appropriate. Inserting a drain is another approach and injection of other agents aside steroids can be used. If all the wounds have healed and not overly painful it may be worth leaving to see if things will settle of their own accord.

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