My seroma keeps coming back after needle aspirations, please help

Question

I am 22 days post extended TT but I have some problems healing. 2 days post drain removal I started to develop serious waterbed effect. I could slosh liquid all the way from my left flank across my abdomen to my right flank. Since then I have been needle aspirated 6 times every 3 days +-300cc comes out. This seems like a lot. My surgeon thinks nothing is wrong and even wants to stop aspirating in a week or so. He wants to "signal my body to stop producing fluid". Is this wise ?

Gregory Baum, MD · Answer

Postop seromas are unfortunately, the most common complication of a tummy tuck. Despite drains and an abdominal binder, they can still occur. I think that after so many attempts at aspiration, I would favor placing a new drain back in to help remove the fluid. Unless the fluid is removed continuously, the space will never close down. Sometimes you even have to open part of the incision and do dressing changes in order to get the space to close up. I would speak with your PS about having another drain placed. Best wishes!

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

I would advise you to have the fluid removed for a number of reasons, including potential post operative pain, and a permanent seroma cavity between the skin and abdominal muscle resulting in a sub-optimal aesthetic  result.Was your drainage decreasing before the drain was removed?? or was it stable and of considerable volume?? At this juncture, you can try reinserting a drain and may even try sclerosing agents like tetracycline, however, at 22 days the fluid may have established a permanent cavity(scar tissue sack or bursa). If so, it may require additional surgery for removal.Best of luck

My seroma keeps coming back after needle aspirations, please help

Answers (2)