Wound Vac Pain

[Tklein9495]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast in March 08.  Decided to have mastecomy with tram flap  surgery immediately after; surgery was done in May 08.  Two weeks after surgery, experienced necrotic tissue at both breast and abdomen and had be debrided in both places.  Had wound vac placed on the abdominal wound for little over a week to expedite healing time.  Experiencing pain between the wound and breast area .....symptoms are swelling and extreme tenderness.  Is this normal?

Thank you!!!!!!

[Tklein9495]

Thank you for the information.  I will contact my doctor right away.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

It is normal for some amount of pain to persist in these areas post-surgery, especially if there is still foreign objects remaining such as the vacuum tube.  However, your description of the area being swollen and with extreme tenderness may not be normal.

This could indicate the possibility of infection, most probably a bacteria, that can cause this inflammatory response.  Moreover, the presence of a foreign body such as the tube, makes the area really prone to bacterial infections.

It is recommended that you inform your doctor about this, and possibly receive a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.