Expert: Dawn Caceres - 5/25/2006

Question
Dawn thank you for answering my question so quickly. Do you know if it is possible to aspirate hematomas like the one I have or to surgically remove it? Thank you for the information.

Dawn
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Followup To

Question -
Hi I am hoping maybe you can help me by easing some of frustration. I had an incisional hernia repaired on 5/5/06. I stayed in the hospital overnight and went home the next day. I was going along recovering well so I thought. Then last friday when I was exactly 2 weeks post surgery, my incision started bleeding, slow at first and then it got worst. I ended up meeting my Dr. at the E.R., actually I met his resident at the E.R.. I was informed that I had a large hematoma and that it was draining. He did not want to do anything to make the incision worst so he gave me some(5) ABD pads and put me on 2000mg of Keflex a day. The pads didn't even last me the weekend. I already had an appointment scheduled with the surgeon for Monday morning, my 2 week follow-up, so I was told to go to that. Upon seeing the surgeon, he told me there is nothing he can do it just has to drain. He extended my prescription of Keflex and told me to keep it dressed. Well now it has been bleeding for 6 days, it is not slowing down or the lump doesn't seem to be shrinking. It is annoying and frustrating to deal with this big bandage. I want to get back to normal. At this point  My question to you is do you know of like a ballpark of how long this could last? Also is there any way to speed it up or to get rid of it altogether? Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I am supposed to go on vacation 4 weeks from tomorrow and I truly hope I am not still dealing with this. Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,
Dawn Miller  

Answer
Dear Dawn,

I have seen the doctors express hematomas. I have seen doctors take patients back to surgery when needed to remove and/or stop hematomas. Both require the surgical incision to be made again or made bigger. I have to repeat myself and say I do not know enough of your circumstance as to what they could do for you.

I remind you to stay in touch with the doctors and keep asking questions, if they feel that aspirating the area you have will help, I'm sure they'll do it.

Also make sure you watch for signs of infection...
you are on an antibiotic and that usually wards off the possibility.
-call the doctor if you notice the site getting red or warm to touch.
-call the doctor if you have a temperature.
-call the doctor if your symptoms seem to be getting worse.

Dawn Caceres