Hi all
I am 5wks post free tram flap and my scars have been healing really well…until tonight when I noticed that there is a small hole in an area that for the last day or two had gone a bit red, it is leaking fluid and I don’t know what to do about it. I don’t know if I should just leave it or not, I’ve put a dressing on it. Has anyone got any advice?
Thanks
Lemoncake
x
Hi
I would ring the hospital where you had your op, the wound could be infected… x
Sounds like an abscess to me. I broke my collarbone a few yrs ago and it went exactly like that - and it was a staph infection in the wound. Definitely get someone to look at it pronto.
kaj
xxx
Keep it covered & clean , how much redness is around the area ? Is your temp ok ? You might need antibiotics but need to get it looked at. Weekends are difficult is there a walk in centre nearby you could go to. Good luck xx
Hi Lemoncake, something similar has just happened to me. Loads of fluids gushed out and discovered a hole developing. Saw my plastic surgeon last week who sent me to the plastic dressings clinic. They put on a dressing called aquacel which has done wonders already. Fluid reducing and so is the redness around it and hole size.
Good luck with your recovery.
Victoria
Thank you for your posts ladies,
Last night I decided to leave it until this morning and if it was the same or worse go to the hospital and if it was any better leave it and keep an eye on it. This morning the redness seems to have gone a bit, I took the dressing off and there is only a bit of blood coming out now so I will keep it covered and see how it is this afternoon.
Megsmum - my temperature is fine and yes there is a walk in centre at the local hosp, are they usually quicker then?
Victoria - How many weeks post op are you and how big was the hole?
Take care
Lemoncake
x
I had a similar problem after my MTX when 2 weeks later a2cm hole appeared in the wound and it leaked clear fluid+.
As long as you are well in yourself with no temperature and the area around the hole is not red then I would put a non sticking dressing on it till end of the weekend and contact your hospital on Monday.
If you think it is infected you might need antibiotics from out of hours service.
With my hole they tried just dressing it for 2 weeks and finally put some sutures in it!
I’m 8 weeks post op Lemoncake, and the hole must have been about 1cm in diameter when I first spotted it (following the flood of liquid). It’s now exuding the tiniest drop each day, and in fact yesterday nothing at all and after a week of those dressings the hole seems to have more or less reduced and healed over. Glad your redness is reduced today x
Gosh Victoria 8wks, isn’t it strange how it can happen this long after the op. I wonder if its because we take it easier at the beginning and then start thinking we can do more than we should, I think I have because apart from vacumning and heavy lifting I’m doing what I did pre-op and I’m only 5wks post-op.
I hope you continue to heal.
Ruth - 2cm, thats big. Thanks for your post.
Take care
Lemoncake
x
Hi Lemoncake that is exactly what happened to me - and once it started leaking I couldn’t stop it. I did have an infection and had to have antibiotics to clear it up and it took about 6 weeks to stop leaking - it was a yellowish clear fluid (although it did change colour at times) but the hosptial said its better out that in - its good that is it coming out but you do need to be very careful about it - I would phone them tomorrow and get them to have a look at it for you. x
Hi Saffronseed,
It does seem to have nearly stopped now and the redness isn’t as bad so maybe it has sorted itself out - hopefully. I think I’ve been doing too much since they said I could drive!! x
Hi Lemoncake
Am glad that your scar leaking has improved we are here to support each other and to see ourselves moving forward. Always let your care nurse be aware of your suitation everytime and follow the hospital advice too. See your surgeon to make sure that is not infection or your might need antibotics. Am still going for my wound dressing everyday at the NHS walk in, the wound is closing up. But that shuldn’t stop me from giving you my support.
Big hug = The boyz.
glad to hear it is getting better - Yes I do think you are doing to much you may have ‘stretched’ your scar and if there is a bit of fluid left around it then it will find a way out. I didn’t feel unwell with mine with there was redness but not where it was leaking! the redness was on my ‘side’. Just be careful because if it is an infection you will need antibiotics. But yes slow down- I don’t think its particularly the driving thats the problem its getting in and out of the car, stretching to close the doors and opening boot etc. Let alone ‘walking’ to where you are going - it all takes its toll - so if I was you I would rest up this week and let it heal - your body usually knows best! take care xx