What does a seroma feel like after mastectomy?

Seromas can appear about 7 to 10 days after surgery, after the drainage tubes have been removed. The breast area involved in the surgery may have a spot that’s swollen and feels like there is liquid under the skin.

How do you get rid of seroma after mastectomy?

Techniques used during a mastectomy and lymph node removal that reduce the empty or dead space formed by tissue loss are thought to help lower the risk of developing a seroma….Seroma treatment

1. Suction drains that reduce the amount of draining liquid.
2. Temporary immobilization.
3. Compression garments.
4. Steroids.

How long does seroma last after mastectomy?

[104] reported safe axillary dissection without drainage after breast-conserving surgery, although this required frequent seroma aspiration. All seromas resolved clinically within 1 month or within 4 months on ultrasonographic examination.

What happens if a seroma is left untreated?

Small seromas often regress into the body on their own; those that remain can be aspirated using a needle and syringe. If a seroma persists, surgical removal may be considered. Large, untreated seromas pose an increased risk of infection, and they may develop a fibrous capsule, complicating drainage.

When should I be concerned about a seroma?

When to contact a doctor If the seroma does not improve or if the symptoms worsen, a person should contact a doctor. A doctor may need to drain the seroma if: it gets bigger. the amount of fluid seems to be increasing.

How do I know if I have a seroma?

The presence of a seroma can be identified by the presence of the following signs and symptoms:

1. Transparent or clear fluid under the wound.
2. Local swelling.
3. Unevenness in the area.
4. Pain in or around the wound.
5. Redness and increased temperature in the area surrounding the wound.

Does exercise help seroma?

A seroma is a collection of fluid, which can develop in the area where tissue has been removed from your abdomen and or/breast. If you develop a seroma, reduce all the Stage 1 exercises to 2 times a day and stop any overhead exercises. Start these exercises in the third week after your operation.

How do you get rid of seroma in breast?

Needle Drainage Fine needle aspiration is the approach of choice to remove fluid from a seroma that is painful or persistent. In this procedure, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic, and then a healthcare provider inserts a long, thin needle through the skin and into the seroma to drain the fluid.

What does seroma feel like?

A seroma may cause symptoms at the site of your surgery, including the following: a balloon-like swelling of the skin. ‌a feeling of liquid or obvious movement under the skin.

Should I massage a seroma?

Patients are recommended to wear compression garments for at least 2 weeks after surgery and to massage the area gently to help move the fluid out. It is important to keep the wound clean to keep out bacteria and other germs.

How long does it take for a breast seroma to go away?

Seromas, or pockets of fluid formed within the surgical cavity, are common after breast surgery and are part of the body’s natural healing process. Most seromas go away within 3-4 weeks after surgery. If you are experiencing pain from your seroma, call your doctor.

What causes seroma after mastectomy?

Surgery causes damage to the blood and lymph vessels and surrounding tissue. An inflammatory response occurs, and the severed vessels and tissues will produce clear fluid in response. This is why there is pain and swelling after surgery. In some cases, the fluid forms a pocket, which leads to the formation of a seroma.

What does a seroma in the breast feel like?

The lump may feel squishy and quite sore. In addition to causing pain, a seroma increases your risk of developing an infection in the breast. 2  Depending on the location, it may also increase pressure over the surgical site and can sometimes pull the incision apart (what’s known as wound dehiscence).

What are the symptoms of a seroma after surgery?

The symptoms of a seroma appear a week or more after surgery and after any drains have been removed. You feel a swollen area and it may feel like there is liquid under the skin. It can become painful. You should discuss the symptoms with your health care team to see if they want you to come in to have it drained.

What is the pathophysiology of seroma after breast surgery?

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY. Seroma after breast surgery is defined as a serous fluid collection that develops under the skin flaps or in the axillary dead space following mastectomy and/or axillary dissection. The origin of seroma remains unclear but several risk factors and predictors are age, breast size, comorbid conditions,…

What is the incidence of seroma after mastectomy?

Seroma formation is the most frequent postoperative complication seen after mastectomy and axillary surgery with an incidence of 3% to 85% [ 2 ]. It is so common that it is now believed to be a side effect of surgery rather than a complication.