chronic post op seroma

[zumalong]

Ok--all my ET nurses out there--hope someone can shed some light on this problem:

I have severe asthma and had surgery in 2004 for GERD (the premise being that if I had less reflux my asthma would get better). Consequently I developed huge (37cm) ventral hernia post-op. I had this repaired in 05 and developed seroma at wound site. (which is my whole abd cavity). Had second surgery to redo hernia repair and 'glue' subq area to mesh. Seroma has recurred (never really resolved at all) and I find myself with a drainage tube again!!!

Has anyone heard of this??? I have been told by my surgeon that seromas are common--but I have been surgical nurse for 20 years and never heard the term until it was my diagnosis. Any information would be welcomed. I am currently unable to work and so have limited access to medline and cinahl.

Thanks in advance.:balloons:

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

these should help:

seroma - wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

laparoscopic ventral hernia repair case presentation

seroma - wrongdiagnosis.com

emedicine - abdominal abscess : article by alan a saber, md

with asthma, body has inflammatory reaction in lungs...seen other places in body too. seroma is just that: inflammation. look at improving protein stores to aide healing, multi vitamin with e and zinc.

resources above may help...might need antiinflammatory med..short course oral steroid especially if on steroid inhaler per some of the literature. seek another surgical/medical opinion when ongoing problem.

best wishes.

[nursetrish]

I have also been experiencing the same difficulty after a ventral hernia repair. This repair was not only a ventral repair but due to having 2 repairs in the 2 previous years, my general surgeon along with a plastic surgeon performed a procedure in which my oblique muscles were cut and used to strengthen my abdomen.

Since my procedure - over 5 months ago - i have had 2 drainage tubes placed, been drained with a needle on at minimum a bi-weekly basis, had an additional surgical procedure to close the opening, and the seroma continues. I have just had another CT scan which shows that the seroma still exists. As if that were required, my belly jiggles like a bowl of jello.

I go back to see the plastic surgeon in two weeks because he told my general surgeon that he will help me. This has been a miserable experience. I understand your frustration completely. And if it is any consolation, my surgeon (who happens to be chief of surgery) said that he has never seen anything like this in his career.

Best of luck to you.