Follow-up Question: Hole from TT drain site won't heal. Suggestions?

Question

11 months post op tummy tuck, 2 months post op suture removal. Hole appeared before suture removal surgery and now after. Puss looking cyst on top of hole was cut and cauterized 2 weeks ago and again yesturday. Qtip inserted in abdomen 2 weeks ago, 1inch into abdomen and yesturday 1/2 inch after cauterizing. Doc says healing. Woke up this morning with blood on front side and tissue coming out. Complications from this drainsite happening for 6 months. Surgery hasn't helped. Any Suggestions please.

Ron Soltero, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Patient:  bieng that you are 11 months out, the best approach would be to surgically explore the wound under adequate anaesthesia to determine the cause of this persistent problem.  Hope this helps!

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

This is not normal. It is most likely due to an infected suture that is at the bottom. It could be from a suture that was used for tightening the tummy muscles during the tummy tuck. It might also be from a piece of the drain if it broke off during removal but this would be pretty rare. Good luck.

Neal Handel, MD · Answer

Generally if a hole or fistula won’t heal, it is because there is some foreign body, or perhaps some buried epithelial tissue (skin) in the deep tissues. Because your problem has been persistent, I think the area should be surgically explored under adequate anesthesia and cleaned out, any foreign material -- such as suture or drain remnant -- removed and any buried skin or scar tissue tract be removed. After that, it WILL heal.

Follow-up Question: Hole from TT drain site won't heal. Suggestions?

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Follow-up Question: Hole from TT drain site won't heal. Suggestions?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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