One of the body’s defense reactions is seroma, a condition that can appear after any surgery., especially those in which the skin and adipose tissue are manipulated. Among the aesthetic procedures that can cause seromas are liposuction, abdominoplasty and mammoplasty.
According to plastic surgeon, Dr. Luiz Molina, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), seroma occurs when fluid accumulates under the skin, usually near the surgery scar.
“It is an inflammatory reaction caused by the patient’s own immune system. The fluid is trapped between the layers of skin, leading to symptoms. Large detachments of the dermal-fat flap, that is, of skin and fat, and manipulation of the lymphatic channels, are mechanisms linked to the development of a seroma”.
But, it is worth remembering that any surgery with these characteristics can cause a seroma, it is not something exclusive to plastic surgery.
first symptoms
According to Dr. Molina, the first signs of a seroma can be swelling or bulging in the region that can progress to the leakage of a transparent or lighter liquid through the scar.
In some cases swelling, pain, redness and increased temperature may occur at the site, typical symptoms of inflammation and infection. In this case, a very important warning sign”.
Typically, seroma appears within the first two weeks after the surgical procedure. Therefore, it is during this period that the patient needs to be more attentive to manifestations.
What to do?
The ideal is to see the doctor who performed the surgery for an evaluation of the seroma. “The seroma must be treated so as not to evolve into what we call encapsulated seroma. Normally, we make a puncture and if it still forms again a few times, we place a drain to help the accumulated liquid exit”, explains Dr. Molina.
Although rare, if left untreated, the seroma can evolve into an encapsulated seroma. What is that? “It is when the seroma is surrounded by a fibrous tissue and forms a kind of capsule, called a pseudobursa.
This can lead to a contraction and protrusions that can cause significant changes in the scar, evolving, in some patients, to deformities that may require surgical correction”, comments the plastic surgeon.
O encapsulated seroma involves more rigorous treatment and, many times, it needs to be surgically removed or even through the use of a high power ultrasound that will stimulate the elimination of the liquid. This procedure is called ultracavitation.
What to do to prevent
According to Dr. Molina, the precision of the surgery can help prevent seroma. Although it is something that can happen, some measures can be adopted during surgery to prevent the Roman. The ideal is to avoid dead spaces in the suture of the subcutaneous tissue. The use of drains after the procedure also helps to eliminate the liquid to prevent its accumulation”, he explains.
In addition, it is essential that the patient strictly follows all post-surgical guidelines. Compressive belts, for example, are extremely important to prevent seroma, as they promote tissue adhesion and better healing, leaving these spaces under the skin smaller and more compressed. Resting recommendations, as well as correct hygiene and scar dressing are also very important.
One of the body’s defense reactions is seroma, a condition that can appear after any surgery., especially those in which the skin and adipose tissue are manipulated. Among the aesthetic procedures that can cause seromas are liposuction, abdominoplasty and mammoplasty.
According to plastic surgeon, Dr. Luiz Molina, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), seroma occurs when fluid accumulates under the skin, usually near the surgery scar.
“It is an inflammatory reaction caused by the patient’s own immune system. The fluid is trapped between the layers of skin, leading to symptoms. Large detachments of the dermal-fat flap, that is, of skin and fat, and manipulation of the lymphatic channels, are mechanisms linked to the development of a seroma”.
But, it is worth remembering that any surgery with these characteristics can cause a seroma, it is not something exclusive to plastic surgery.
first symptoms
According to Dr. Molina, the first signs of a seroma can be swelling or bulging in the region that can progress to the leakage of a transparent or lighter liquid through the scar.
In some cases swelling, pain, redness and increased temperature may occur at the site, typical symptoms of inflammation and infection. In this case, a very important warning sign”.
Typically, seroma appears within the first two weeks after the surgical procedure. Therefore, it is during this period that the patient needs to be more attentive to manifestations.
What to do?
The ideal is to see the doctor who performed the surgery for an evaluation of the seroma. “The seroma must be treated so as not to evolve into what we call encapsulated seroma. Normally, we make a puncture and if it still forms again a few times, we place a drain to help the accumulated liquid exit”, explains Dr. Molina.
Although rare, if left untreated, the seroma can evolve into an encapsulated seroma. What is that? “It is when the seroma is surrounded by a fibrous tissue and forms a kind of capsule, called a pseudobursa.
This can lead to a contraction and protrusions that can cause significant changes in the scar, evolving, in some patients, to deformities that may require surgical correction”, comments the plastic surgeon.
O encapsulated seroma involves more rigorous treatment and, many times, it needs to be surgically removed or even through the use of a high power ultrasound that will stimulate the elimination of the liquid. This procedure is called ultracavitation.
What to do to prevent
According to Dr. Molina, the precision of the surgery can help prevent seroma. Although it is something that can happen, some measures can be adopted during surgery to prevent the Roman. The ideal is to avoid dead spaces in the suture of the subcutaneous tissue. The use of drains after the procedure also helps to eliminate the liquid to prevent its accumulation”, he explains.
In addition, it is essential that the patient strictly follows all post-surgical guidelines. Compressive belts, for example, are extremely important to prevent seroma, as they promote tissue adhesion and better healing, leaving these spaces under the skin smaller and more compressed. Resting recommendations, as well as correct hygiene and scar dressing are also very important.
