Clinical Need

Surgical Tissue Damage

Post-Surgical Complications

Surgical Tissue Damage

A cascade of poor outcomes can result from surgical tissue damage

Tissue damage incurred during surgery leading to poor healing can result in significant short- and long-term complications. These complications occur in many surgical procedures, at a very high rate, and have major impacts on stakeholders.

Complications may include:

Seroma

Seroma

Tissue necrosis

Tissue necrosis

Tissue edema

Tissue edema

Surgical site infection

Surgical site infection

Poor aesthetic outcomes

Poor aesthetic outcomes

Seroma is the leading post-surgical complication

Seroma is consistently recognized as a top surgical complication given its high incidence, clinical severity, and excessive financial burden to the health care system. Seroma is the major post-surgical complication reported in nearly every surgical outcome study across numerous surgical specialties, with complication rates reported in the literature as high as 40% in many procedures.

There are hundreds of papers in the medical literature that report seroma rates and other complications associated with poor internal healing.

Representative Summary Chart
Seroma Post-Surgical Complications
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Whether seroma serves as a nidus for infection…or is simply a marker of poor wound healing and occult infection, we and others have observed a correlation between seroma and subsequent complications.

Jordan, et al, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2016

Seroma … occurs at rates ranging from 3% to 85% after breast or axillary surgery. Seromas can interfere with healing, require prolonged treatment, cause patient discomfort, and delay adjuvant treatment.

Boomstra, et al, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2009

Local complications such as seroma and infection are reported in 15‑40% of patients [abdominoplasty].

Abesamis, et al, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2019

Wound complications are associated with increases in morbidity, mortality, and costs for healthcare systems.

Kosins, et al, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2013

Seroma fluid collections…can becoming vexing to the patient and the surgeon, causing infections and disability. Seroma may lengthen recovery time, time off of work, also can promote scar tissue formation, require further procedures for treatment.

Shermak et al, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2008

Short and long-term complications lead to meaningful impact on all stakeholders

Patient Impact

  • Persistent pain
  • Surgical site infection
  • Invasive fluid aspiration procedures
  • Hospitalizations and re-operations
  • Repeat office visits, prescription drug costs, delayed return to work
  • Poor aesthetic outcome

Surgeon Impact

  • Non-reimbursed office visits
  • Repeat invasive surgical site drainage procedures
  • Re-operations, hospitalizations
  • Dissatisfied patients

Hospital / Payor Impact

  • Non-reimbursed costs from clinical interventions
  • Extended hospital stays and re-admissions
  • Unfavorable hospital-acquired complications scores