Objectives:
Donor site seroma formation is a common occurrence following abdominal free flap breast reconstructions. Although such seromas usually resolve spontaneously after a few weeks or months, we recently encountered 3 patients with abdominal seromas persisting for up to 2 years postoperatively. We therefore investigated possible predisposing factors in our patient group.
Methods:
Patients with persistent abdominal seromas, arbitrarily defined as present after 3 months following abdominal free flap harvest were identified. Their demographic characteristics, comorbidities, reconstruction details, frequency, and volume of abdominal aspirations were documented.
Results:
Three obese patients (Mean body mass index = 35) with an average age of 49 years bilaterally reconstructed with superior inferior epigastric artery or deep inferior epigastric artery flaps fitted the aforementioned criteria. Seroma aspirations commenced at 3 weeks and continued for a maximum of 26 months postoperatively. The average number of aspirations was 11 with a mean volume of 338 mL (range: 100-864 mL) per visit. The patients were aspirated either weekly or fortnightly depending on the speed of seroma reaccumulation and symptoms. All the 3 patients needed excision of the seroma sac to achieve permanent resolution.
Discussion and conclusion:
In addition to their nuisance value (notably frequent aspirations and outpatient clinic visits), persistent seromas can cause significant morbidity and eventually require surgical excision. Possible predisposing factors in our patients included obesity, bilateral reconstructions, and superior inferior epigastric artery flap harvest. Such "high risk" patients should be warned about the likelihood of persistent seromas needing repeated aspirations and possible surgical interventions for ultimate resolution.