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Seroma

My mother had a lumpectomy on 10/8/03.  She has had substantial pain from what has been determined by ultrasound to be a medium-to-large seroma -- however, the surgeon does not want to perform needle aspiration just yet.  His reason is that she has other health problems, namely, COPD and also a recent episode of atrial fibrillation which required 4 days of hospitalization.  The surgeon wants to wait a week or two to see if the seroma will begin to resolve enough to lessen her pain; he doesn't want to risk infection which he said is a possible complication from needle aspiration.  I trust her surgeon and his reasoning.  She was on morphine for the pain, but it wasn't working very will, so she has switched to vicoden (spelling?) -- but is still in pain.  My question is, are there any non-medication ways to help her relieve the pain during this waiting period?  She is using icepacks, but they only work as long as they are on.  Once removed, the pain returns.  She is also elevating her arm.

At this point, we'll try anything, including standing on our heads!!

Thanks so much for your help-

Angela
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Avatar universal
Dear Angela:  If the pain is this unbearable, it may be reasonable to take the risk and have this aspirated.  It is true that many times these seromas will resolve in time, it may be weeks to months.  You and your mother should have a discussion with her doctor to outline risks vs. benefits related to whether or not she is able to tolerate the pain.  From what you say you are doing everything possible to help relieve the pain.
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Avatar universal
seromas are pretty common, and eventually usually go away. Draining with a needle is pretty safe, and the risk of infection -- while not zero -- is very low. Sometimes pain is helped more by taking regular doses of ibuprofen either instead of or in addition to the narcotics: 400 - 600 mg four times per day. But she shouldn't start doing so without checking with her doctors.
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