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Back and Spine Surgery (Expert Forum)
Hematoma On Incision-What are options?
Answered by
Paul J Slosar - Spine Surgery, low back pain, neck pain, Whiplash, artifical disc replacement
SpineCare Medical Group
San Francisco - CA
Questions in the Back and Spine Surgery forum are being answered by Paul J. Slosar, MD, President, SpineCare Medical Group of Daly City, CA.
Hematoma On Incision-What are options?
by Jared_Nursing, Sep 08, 2008 11:25AM
I'm writing for a friend. She has had minor back surgery to remove metal rods from her previous surgery a year ago. The surgery was 11 days ago, the doctor sent her home the same afternoon as surgery, she had developed a hematoma in the hospital before discharge. The surgeon said it would heal up on its own but we were under the impression it would take at most 4 days. The hematoma has stayed the same size with a few variations from day to day. We have been icing her back, putting pressure on it by laying on it, it is not red, it is not puss-y, it shows no signs of infection so far but there is no change after 11 days.
Any information is helpful.
Jared_Nursing
Any information is helpful.
Jared_Nursing
Doctor's Answer
by Paul J Slosar, Sep 08, 2008 06:28PM
, Sep 08, 2008 06:28PM
Some surgeons elect to drain a hematoma by taking the patient back to surgery. Trying to drain it with a needle is not usually effective.
If it is not causing a major problem it is acceptable to observe it as they do eventually resolve. You should see a reduction in size and swelling by 2-3 weeks with complete resolution around 4-6 weeks. If it is not getting better re-check with the surgeon at 2-3 weeks.
If it is not causing a major problem it is acceptable to observe it as they do eventually resolve. You should see a reduction in size and swelling by 2-3 weeks with complete resolution around 4-6 weeks. If it is not getting better re-check with the surgeon at 2-3 weeks.
