A surgical hematoma is a collection of blood near a surgical site that can occur due to various reasons. It usually resolves on its own, but in some cases, surgery may be required to drain the hematoma. Patients can reduce their risks by following the surgeon’s instructions. Hematomas can cause swelling and discoloration under the skin, but they often resorb over time. Surgeons may advise patients to avoid blood thinners and physical exertion after surgery to prevent hematoma. If a hematoma develops, patients should seek medical attention instead of attempting to drain it at home.
A surgical hematoma is a collection of blood in a bag near a surgical site. This complication of surgery can occur in many different locations and usually resolves on its own, although in some cases it is necessary to reopen the surgical site to allow the surgeon to drain the hematoma and resolve the cause. There are a number of potential causes of hematomas after surgery, including the use of blood thinners before surgery, poor surgical technique, and inadequate aftercare. People can reduce their risks by following the surgeon’s directions to the letter after surgery.
In a surgical hematoma, bleeding under the skin leads to the formation of a blood bag. This can happen when a surgeon does not completely seal blood vessels, when a patient strains and bursts a blood vessel, or as a result of thin, brittle blood vessels around the site. The surgical site can swell and patients can also see the discoloration under the skin caused by the blood balloon.
Surgical hematomas often resorb. Over time, the blood will break down and wash away, although the patient may experience some discomfort during the early stages of healing. In other patients, when the hematoma is evidently large or painful, drainage may be recommended. Simple needle aspiration can be used to quickly extract blood from the surgical hematoma, but it often fills up again. In surgery, a doctor can open up the hematoma, express blood, and find the leaky blood vessel causing the problem.
Before surgery, people are usually advised to avoid blood thinners to minimize the risk of severe blood loss during surgery and prevent post-surgical hematoma. Surgeons may ask patients to wait to resume these drugs until the initial danger phase of healing is over. To avoid bruising during surgery, surgeons take steps such as tightly sealing vessels and waiting before closing the incision. After surgery, it is recommended to avoid physical exertion and blows to the surgical site to prevent surgical hematoma.
If a hematoma develops, the surgeon will want to examine the patient to decide the best treatment option. Some patients are sent home and told to watch for swelling, while others may be advised to go to surgery for drainage and correction. People frustrated with bruises shouldn’t attempt to drain them at home, as this can introduce risks of infection, uncontrolled bleeding, and disfiguring scarring.
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