Back to 2025 Display Posters
A Review Of Strategies For Preventing And Managing Seroma Formation Following Groin Procedures
Jasmine Peng
1, Koyal Ansingkar
2, Brittany Landavazo
1, Maham Rahimi, MD/PhD
3.
1Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA,
2Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,
3Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Objectives: Groin exploration surgery, commonly performed for hernia repair, lymph node dissection, and vascular intervention, often results in seroma formation due to disruption of lymphatic vessels. Despite advancements, seromas occur in up to 50% of cases and can lead to complications such as discomfort, wound dehiscence, infection, and extended hospital stays. Although usually self-limiting, the prevention of seromas remains a significant challenge. Our group previously developed Vasculink, a model predicting groin complications post-vascular surgery, but addressing seroma prevention remains difficult. This paper aims to close this gap through a comprehensive literature review on seroma prevention and management.
Methods: A literature search using keywords “seroma formation and groin surgery” and “seroma prevention” yielded 42 relevant papers from the past 5 years. We included a range of literature types, including case reports and systematic reviews, without restrictions on surgical specialty. Data were categorized into preventative measures and post-operative management, with subcategories by intervention type: dissection and closure techniques, sclerotherapy, lymphangiography, drains, wound care, and secondary management.
Results: The findings were categorized into seroma prevention, management, and when to return a patient with a seroma to the OR. Physical agents like incisional negative wound pressure therapy (iNWPT), porcine dermal collagen, and fibrin tissue sealant adhesives reduce seroma formation by minimizing dead space and enhancing tissue fibrosis. Sclerosing agents (talc and doxycycline) were also effective. Additional techniques include lymphangiography, lymphatic ligation, and quilting sutures. Conservative management for smaller seromas includes elevation, compression, bed rest, and prophylactic antibiotics, while larger seromas often require aspirations. Surgical options for OR intervention include seroma evacuation, drainage, sclerosing agent injection, or creating a muscle flap to cover the cavity. These findings are summarized in Table 1.
Conclusions: Seroma formation is a common complication in groin surgery, potentially leading to significant morbidity if not properly managed. While most research is from plastic surgery, the use of groin access in vascular surgery underscores the need for targeted, evidence-based guidelines. This review consolidates current strategies for seroma prevention and management, highlighting the need for further studies to refine and standardize practices, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing complications associated with seroma formation.
Back to 2025 Display Posters
