Large seroma after surgery - anyone have experience of this?

[Milliefluff]

I had emergency surgery 3 weeks ago for two side-by-side incarcerated hernias (lower abdomen). These had arisen due to a weakened abdominal wall due to a laparoscopic hysterectomy incision that became infected last year.
The hernias were repaired using mesh (open surgery) and the incision, which is about 14cm wide is healing ok. Just when I was hopeful that things would steadily improve, a large bulge developed just above and to the left if the incision. A CT scan with contrast showed a seroma has developed, measuring 12cm wide, 11.5cm tall and 6cm deep. It’s anterior to the mesh repair, which looks fine. But the bulge is driving me crazy - it’s painful at times, sore most of the time, and generally in the way! It makes me look about 7 months pregnant (although I’m least concerned about the cosmetic appearance, I just want to heal as quickly as possible)! The consultant has advised conservative management - leave it alone and it should resorb naturally…. But an experienced surgical nurse has told me it could take up to a year and even then it might not resorb completely, in which case I might need surgery later to shift it. I had hoped it would be aspirated, but the consultant thinks that there is a risk of infection doing this… but then again, my understanding is that most large seromas are usually aspirated, and if an infection were to occur, then I imagine it would be dealt with swiftly with appropriate antibiotics! I’m thinking of insisting on aspiration to benefit my quality of life and overall healing.

Has anyone had a LARGE seroma after abdominal surgery, and if so, was it aspirated? If not, how long did it take to resorb, and did you take any steps at home to help it along?

thank you.

Yes, I have. Had a large seroma list surgery. I had it aspirated with a needle multiple times but it kept coming back. Was then told to keep it in place while I I had radiotherapy. But it was hugely problematic and unstable. In the end I had to have it cut into with a scalpel by the original surgeon. This was done in my hospital bed with a local anaesthetic which looking bad is somewhat mad I think. But it worked.

Thanks for your reply notag. Oh that sounds horrendous! But at least it got rid of the seroma. Hope you’re ok now.

i just don’t know what to expect - if it isn’t aspirated then I don’t know how long it might take to resorb - it’s really uncomfortable as it is now, and I don’t know if it might continue to get bigger. If it gets bigger I think I’ll push for aspiration. I understand the consultant’s concerns about the possibility of infection if they aspirate, because I’ve just discovered that if the seroma is close to the mesh they used to repair my hernia they worry that an infection could compromise the mesh and then I’d be back to square one needing corrective surgery for the hernia! I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with this big lump!

I had a big seroma after abdominal surgery. I was advised to wear a super tight body stocking thing anyway and the surgeon drained it twice but it came back. It did resolve evenutally and it took a lot less time than a year. Maybe 6-8 weeks. It was pretty gruesome, I could feel it sloshing around when I moved.

Mine isn’t sloshing around, it’s actually quite hard which apparently they can be. But it’s horribly uncomfortable. Bending, sitting in a chair and sleeping are all difficult! The most comfortable position is actually standing.
i haven’t been advised to use any compression, but I’ve been applying a heat pad a few times a day and then following with some gentle massage. Too early to tell if this helps.