American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
nostu83
5 months ago
Answered

Open wound

Feb 28 I got a tummy tuck with "T cut". For about six weeks after surgery I had a seroma and the water was dripping out of a small open wound at the "intersection" of the two cuts.

For over two weeks the seroma is gone and I can concentrate on closing that open wound. Currently it's treated with a new alginate tamponade every two days.

Can you calm me? 😅 Can/will it close till summer?

Procedure: Tummy Tuck
Location: Delmenhorst, NI - Germany

Replies 6

Rozbeh Torabi
ASPS Surgeon
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I would recommend doing a wound vac to get it closed much faster

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Arturo Munoz Meza
ASPS Int. Surgeon
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Well, do not worry : you’ll be alright ( except for the median scar that doesn’t will motivate you to wear a bikini). Seroma’s problem seems to be already solved. Lei it heal, do not waist any more money about it. You are doing it well.

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Rahul Vemula
ASPS Surgeon
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I think it will close if there is very limited undermining around the wound. A wound vac will definitely help it close faster.

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Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

It will close by itself but may take a couple of months. You have a small opening at the point of greatest tension. The problem is not unusual and will heal by itself. Should not have any surgical intervention of any kind. I find the use of Silvadene (silver sulfadiazine) impregnated gauze changed daily after soap and water to be quite effective and simple to use. The use of a negative pressure dressing such as wound vac or a "PICO" will have it healed in 2 weeks, my opinion. Talk to your surgeon about the use of this device. I understand your frustration but it will heal and you will be fine.

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Sasanka Chatterjee
ASPS Int. Surgeon

When seroma is gone, it will heal. For faster recovery, you can undertake negative pressure wound therapy with or without secondary suturing judging by the time you may allofor complete healing.

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Kristopher Day
ASPS Surgeon

Agree with the other comments. The keys are to relieve the underlying problem (seroma, seems like this is done) and then some choice between conservative secondary intention (“letting it heal,” likely using wet-to-dry dressings), more sophisticated wound cares (as it sounds like you’re receiving), or negative pressure suction (a wound vac). Each of these have pros and cons you should discuss with your surgeon. And long term scar results are likely to be better with delayed (>1 year) scar revision than secondary procedural closure, in my opinion. So, while it may feel urgent, in the long term time is on your side. Hope this helps.

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