Can a 1- 1 1/2 inch needle puncture your abdominal wall after a tummy tuck?

Question

I got a seroma after a TT. It's the biggest nuisance ever. I was actually wondering: Is a 18 ga 1 1/2 inch needle LONG enough to actually puncture your abdominal wall? My surgeon is always injecting the needle in me and moving it around to drain me. Quite frankly it scares me at times. I just want to know if realistically i have anything to worry about (in terms of being punctured). Clearly a 10 inch needle would do that but would a 1 1/2?

Gregory Baum, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question as I occasionally hear this concern. It would be extremely unlikely to puncture into the abdomen itself with a needle of this length. You will a needle at least this long to get down to the seroma fluid. Occasionally you may feel a twinge of discomfort if the needle touches the rectus muscles but this is temporary and provides a barrier to actually betting into the abdomen itself. Good luck with your healing!

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thank you for your question.While it is possible to puncture through the skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle and peritoneum with a 1.5" needle, it is highly unlikely.  You usually need the length to get into the seroma which most commonly sits just on top of your rectus abdominus muscle.  When the needle touches your muscle, there is the sensation of pain.The seroma should slowly resolve with serial aspirations.  Get well soon.Dr. T

F. True Lansden, MD · Answer

In a very thin person, a 1 1/2 inch needle could indeed penetrate the abdominal wall.  Even in larger patients with thicker abdominal walls the surgeon must always be aware of the position of his needle tip.  Drainage of seromas after abdominoplasty using 18 gauge needles is quite common and effective.  Express your concerns to your physician and he/she should be able to assuage any of your fears regarding the needle.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

In theory yes because anything is possible but your PS should know what she/he is doing when draining a seroma.  There is the skin, the subcutaneous fat, the seroma fluid, then the rectus muscles the needle would have to go through first to get to the space where your organs are so the percentage is very low.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Not likely for a 1.5inch needle to cause much pain in the abdomen; remember, that the abdominal muscle is quite substantial and thick and so your surgeon would know if the needle tip touched it while he is draining your seroma.

Can a 1- 1 1/2 inch needle puncture your abdominal wall after a tummy tuck?

Answers (5)

Answer: Needle to puncture abdominal wall

Answer: Needle to puncture abdominal wall

Answer: Can 1.5 inch needle cause intra-abdominal injury

Answer: Can 1.5 inch needle cause intra-abdominal injury

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Can a 1- 1 1/2 inch needle puncture your abdominal wall after a tummy tuck?

Answers (5)

Answer: Needle to puncture abdominal wall

Answer: Needle to puncture abdominal wall

Answer: Can 1.5 inch needle cause intra-abdominal injury

Answer: Can 1.5 inch needle cause intra-abdominal injury

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.