Seroma?

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zayb
zayb Member Posts: 83
edited December 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I noticed that my first surgery scar site is spongy again and when I pressed on it clear fluid came out of it. Is this a seroma? Is it normal to have one months after surgery? I had two surgeries. One in August with 4 lymph nodes (negative for cancer) removed. I didn't have a drain and the scar looked like it had pockets of fluid, but this seemed to resolve shortly before I had my next surgery. I then had a complete axillary node dissection and had another 17 nodes removed (1 positive for cancer with no extra capsular extension). Surgery was in the same area but not through the same incision. I had some sloshiness in the area but this resolved about a month after surgery. I am two months out from the second surgery. I just noticed that the first incision, which is right in the crease of my armpit is spongy again and has fluid in it. I am on chemotherapy now as well, but I still don't like seeing the scar spongy again. I am going to ask the oncologist about it this week, but was just wondering if seromas can refill after another surgery close to the first surgery. I had all my level 1 and 2 nodes removed and the area still seems a little fuller (not in my arm, but in my body).

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited December 2015

    Zayb, I am not a medical person, so I am curious too what is happening with you. Do you think it could be lymph fluid? Since you had lymph nodes removed, and we all are at risk for lymphedema after surgery...could be why you feel fuller in those areas. I am so glad you are getting checked soon so you can get some answers. Have you been referred to a lymphedema physical therapist? If there is one in your area, you might ask for a referral, as a PT can show you how to do simple massages to help with the flow of fluid that naturally we all have, and has to find a new path to drain once the nodes are removed. Please keep us posted, and of course wishing the best for you.

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  • zayb
    zayb Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2015

    Hi Meadow,


    I think it must be lymph fluid. The area under the scar was opened up during the second surgery. It feels a little sloshy under the arm and since the scar is likely weaker because it really hadn't healed all the way I think the fluid cam out there. I had sloshiness by the new incision but this finally went away, hopefully the sloshiness under my arm will too. I am going to ask about it when I go for chemotherapy this week.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2015

    'Sloshy' is not LymphEdema. LE doesn't 'slosh' around. It is in the tissue/cells and does cause swelling but is consistent. A seroma can/will 'slosh'.

    A month after UMX, my 2nd drain was removed and about a week later a large seroma developed. That seroma was still showing up on a CT as 6 cm though it was healing 10 weeks later. The way it was simplistically explained to me is that a seroma can be sort of thought of a bubble that gets filled with fluid. While the drain is in, it keeps the fluid from building up so the tissue gradually heals back together. Once the drain is out, the fluid has no where to go so it may become a problem/seroma as it fills the cavity instead of it healing back together. In other words, a seroma is a 'pocket' of fluid and it can be aspirated/drained via a needle but is often not to allow it to be reabsorbed over time. Mine was aspirated/drained twice and then allowed to 'do it's thing'. LE is very different - it can not be drained via aspiration as it is not a 'pocket' of fluid that can be accessed via a needle but is in the individual cells.

    There are 'things' to do for dealing with LE which include MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) which is massage designed to move the lymphatic fluid, compression garments, MLD machines, wrapping.

    Unfortunately, MANY Drs really do not have the education/understanding what LE is. I was one of the lucky ones with very knowledgeable Drs. Ask for a referral to an LymphEdema Therapist - not just some PT who claims to know all about LE but has no advanced education in LE. My LET guy is an OT (has his Masters in Occupational Therapy) and he is fantastic - I am a challenge .

    As you had nodes removed - please get a referral to an LET (PT or OT) for evaluation (measurements/baseline) and education sooner rather than later.

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  • zayb
    zayb Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2015

    I asked about the fluid and the scar yesterday. The person I saw said it looked like a normal scar and gave a few possibilities as to the fluid, neither were seroma. But, it resolved in a few days anyway.

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