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Update on Seroma Treatment
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Update on Seroma Treatment

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Update on Seroma Treatment

  • Post
    • February 1, 2017 at 4:29 am
    Aloha14
    Participant

      Today I had the 3 seromas drained by the Radiology doctors under ultrasound guidance. The doctors said there are 3 distinct, separate seromas and they don't attach together. So when the Surgeon drained the largest one the last two times which filled back up right away, it didn't effect the other two. Anyways, this time it's been 6 hours since the 3 were drained and 2 of them have filled up again but are definitely smaller than has been during the past 6 weeks. The other one doesn't seem to have filled up again, yeah! 

      I don't understand how these can fill up so fast but they can't drain. The Radiology doctors said that these won't drain on their own from what they can tell from the ultrasound pictures. I wonder what happens if these never completely drain? I watched as these were drained and the syringe for the largest one was red colored not yellowish like the last two times. Does anyone know what that means? Is it bleeding inside the seroma, from the needles going in or is my lymph fluid now red?? Plus, the one that so far hasn't filled up was also bloody and had dried blood in it. Sorry for the gory descriptions. This stuff is driving me crazy. 

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 1, 2017 at 8:39 am
        UBContributor
        Participant

          Thank you for detailed update. It is really strage situation. Did u ask ur drs why fuid is reddish? 

          • February 1, 2017 at 8:39 am
          UBContributor
          Participant

            Thank you for detailed update. It is really strage situation. Did u ask ur drs why fuid is reddish? 

            • February 1, 2017 at 8:39 am
            UBContributor
            Participant

              Thank you for detailed update. It is really strage situation. Did u ask ur drs why fuid is reddish? 

              • February 1, 2017 at 8:46 pm
              debwray
              Participant

                Hi Aloha,

                Lymph fluid is straw coloured. Lymph flows uphill through the body from toes upwards and is pumped through the system via lymph collectors to lymph nodes . The system has one way valves. The red fluid in one of your seromas has probably caused by bleeding into the site from the multiple drainages.  The one that is slower to refill probably also had a little bleeding within it.. Creating a hematoma or bleeding within the space…drain it and with luck the irritated sides will stick together making it slower to  fill. The problem is that the lymph nodes above your seromas are missing and can't take the fluid away.. It has to find a way round to other bits of your lymph system. It is pretty unusual to have so many problems with a node biopsy but it can happen.

                Hopefully this is starting to resolve for you… You have my sympathy as this is much more  than a simple nuisance

                Best wishes

                Deb

                • February 1, 2017 at 8:46 pm
                debwray
                Participant

                  Hi Aloha,

                  Lymph fluid is straw coloured. Lymph flows uphill through the body from toes upwards and is pumped through the system via lymph collectors to lymph nodes . The system has one way valves. The red fluid in one of your seromas has probably caused by bleeding into the site from the multiple drainages.  The one that is slower to refill probably also had a little bleeding within it.. Creating a hematoma or bleeding within the space…drain it and with luck the irritated sides will stick together making it slower to  fill. The problem is that the lymph nodes above your seromas are missing and can't take the fluid away.. It has to find a way round to other bits of your lymph system. It is pretty unusual to have so many problems with a node biopsy but it can happen.

                  Hopefully this is starting to resolve for you… You have my sympathy as this is much more  than a simple nuisance

                  Best wishes

                  Deb

                  • February 1, 2017 at 8:46 pm
                  debwray
                  Participant

                    Hi Aloha,

                    Lymph fluid is straw coloured. Lymph flows uphill through the body from toes upwards and is pumped through the system via lymph collectors to lymph nodes . The system has one way valves. The red fluid in one of your seromas has probably caused by bleeding into the site from the multiple drainages.  The one that is slower to refill probably also had a little bleeding within it.. Creating a hematoma or bleeding within the space…drain it and with luck the irritated sides will stick together making it slower to  fill. The problem is that the lymph nodes above your seromas are missing and can't take the fluid away.. It has to find a way round to other bits of your lymph system. It is pretty unusual to have so many problems with a node biopsy but it can happen.

                    Hopefully this is starting to resolve for you… You have my sympathy as this is much more  than a simple nuisance

                    Best wishes

                    Deb

                    • February 2, 2017 at 12:48 am
                    Aloha14
                    Participant

                      Deb,

                      Thanks for replying and the information about seromas. I spoke with my surgeon this morning and reported that the seromas were smaller and she said means the lymph channels are starting to heal. I asked if these could be drained again soon. She said that continual draining doesn't give the channels a time to heal so it's too early to drain these again now. She said it can take several months(it's almost been 2) to completely heal. She also mentioned that a small percentage of patients have complications from lymph node removal even if just a couple were removed. 

                      The plan is to have me come into the office next week and she has a portable ultrasound machine where she can look at the seromas, answer questions, and discuss options, etc.,  I guess I just have to be patient but at least with these being smaller I can move my leg better when walking and bicycling. 

                      • February 2, 2017 at 12:48 am
                      Aloha14
                      Participant

                        Deb,

                        Thanks for replying and the information about seromas. I spoke with my surgeon this morning and reported that the seromas were smaller and she said means the lymph channels are starting to heal. I asked if these could be drained again soon. She said that continual draining doesn't give the channels a time to heal so it's too early to drain these again now. She said it can take several months(it's almost been 2) to completely heal. She also mentioned that a small percentage of patients have complications from lymph node removal even if just a couple were removed. 

                        The plan is to have me come into the office next week and she has a portable ultrasound machine where she can look at the seromas, answer questions, and discuss options, etc.,  I guess I just have to be patient but at least with these being smaller I can move my leg better when walking and bicycling. 

                        • February 2, 2017 at 12:48 am
                        Aloha14
                        Participant

                          Deb,

                          Thanks for replying and the information about seromas. I spoke with my surgeon this morning and reported that the seromas were smaller and she said means the lymph channels are starting to heal. I asked if these could be drained again soon. She said that continual draining doesn't give the channels a time to heal so it's too early to drain these again now. She said it can take several months(it's almost been 2) to completely heal. She also mentioned that a small percentage of patients have complications from lymph node removal even if just a couple were removed. 

                          The plan is to have me come into the office next week and she has a portable ultrasound machine where she can look at the seromas, answer questions, and discuss options, etc.,  I guess I just have to be patient but at least with these being smaller I can move my leg better when walking and bicycling. 

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