After a cut, tissue produces an inflammatory fluid as a response to the pain suffered. Usually, the lymphatic system reabsorves spontaneously that very same liquid but, when produced in an excessive quantity it accumulates and a seroma appears.
This fluid accumulation is much more common after any kind of surgery that involved a cut and skin or fat tissue manipulation as it happens in mammary surgeries.
Normally it appears between 7-10 days after the surgery and it is presented as a patch of skin close to the suture that wavers to the touch and can go alongside pain and reddening of the mamma as well as an increase in size.
If those seromas are little, they can be reabsorbed naturally by the skin in a month approximately. Despite that, there are certain cases where a specific treatment needs to be administered:
- Local physical measures: rest the area and use a sports bra that completely adjusts to the breast.
- Medical treatment: anti-inflammatory treatment until its reabsorption is recommended although it may also need antibiotic treatment if an infection is suspected.
- Evacuation: it may be useful to evacuate the contents of the seroma through a puncture or reintervention.
- Aitken DR, Minton JP. Complications associated with mastectomy. Surg Clin North Am. 1983 Dec;63(6):1331-52.
- Vitug AF, Newman LA. Complications in breast surgery. Surg Clin North Am. 2007 Apr;87(2):431-51, x.
- García, A. S. (2001). Complicaciones de la cirugía de la mama. Cirugía Española, 69(3), 224-230.
