Seroma

A sero­ma is a coll­ec­tion of clear to yel­lo­wish tis­sue flu­id in a space that has for­med under the skin after sur­gery. It is one of the more com­mon side effects of lar­ger ope­ra­ti­ons and is harm­less in most cases.

Cau­ses

When tis­sue lay­ers are sepa­ra­ted during sur­gery, for ins­tance in a tum­my tuck, lipo­suc­tion or breast sur­gery, lympha­tic and blood ves­sels can release flu­id into the resul­ting space. Lar­ge wound are­as, a lot of move­ment ear­ly in heal­ing and excess weight make a sero­ma more likely.

Sym­ptoms

The typi­cal sign is a soft, firm-ela­s­tic swel­ling that feels like a water cushion when pres­sed and some­ti­mes moves back and forth. It usual­ly appears a few days to a few weeks after the pro­ce­du­re. Red­ness, warmth or fever point more towards an infec­tion and should be che­cked promptly.

Tre­at­ment

Small sero­mas often resol­ve on their own. Lar­ger ones are drai­ned with a fine need­le, some­ti­mes repea­ted­ly. Wea­ring a com­pres­si­on gar­ment con­sis­t­ent­ly and using sur­gi­cal drains help pre­vent them. A fur­ther ope­ra­ti­on is rare­ly needed.