“No Drain, No Gain”: Simultaneous Seroma Drainage and Tissue Expansion in Pre-pectoral Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

Seromas represent the most frequent complication following immediate breast reconstruction surgery, in particular when acellular dermal matrix or synthetic meshes are used to add coverage to implants. Little information regarding breast seroma management is available in the literature. When seroma becomes clinically significant, current methods for its management consist of repeated needle aspiration. We report a fast, efficient, easy and riskless technique to perform serum aspiration in patients who underwent breast reconstruction with a tissue expander that allows simultaneous drainage and expansion of the implant at once. This procedure is safe, painless, does not need special supplies or additional costs and can be easily performed in ambulatory setting to manage breast seromas.

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