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Q: Naval drainage after umbilical hernia repair
asked by: bobfrombc on March 22nd, 2009
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I had adult umbilical hernia repaired on March 3rd, 2009. The surgeon used mesh, I think he said it was made of Gore-Tex®. Anyway my naval was very swollen when I changed the bandaging, for the first time, on the 8th.
I saw the surgeon again on the 14th. He drained my naval and referred to it as a hematoma. He said it was nothing to worry about and it would leak for 4 or 5 more days. The problem is that it is doing more than just leaking - it is completely filling up my navel and then draining after I apply some pressure on it or when the skin breaks on its own. When it does leak, I push all the fluid out like the doctor did. This happens almost daily. This has been going on for two weeks since the the doctor drained it for the first time and it is almost 3 weeks since I had the surgery (more then twice the length the surgeon said it would last for when I saw him on the 14th). It is not red and I haven't had a fever this entire time.
Because of the fact that there is more fluid build up then the doctor lead me to believe, should I be concerned? Can anyone explain what is going on? I will make an appointment to see my surgeon again but I like to get some opinions.
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marco247
replied on April 5th, 2009
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Leakage
Hi Bob
Just going through the exact same senario with mine,just with a couple of weeks time difference with your op and hopefully you may get an answer.
Have seen in other posts though that now the wound has opened up to let the fluid out that infection can now re-enter the area (although it must have already been there in the first place to cause the fluid build up if I have read posts correctly)and may now cause a cycle of infection and leakage.
Going careful with mine bathing it in Savlon twice a day but Im still on antibiotics which finish in 3 days time.
As far as i can see and have read that if the infection doesnt clear up then the mesh may need to be removed.
Think this is a last resort though and wouldnt be done for some months though.
Keep the post up
Mark
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SESchnorbus
replied on June 30th, 2009
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Umbilical Hernia Repair Complications
I had my repair 5 days ago. All was good for a little over 24 hours. Day 2 - I awoke early in the morning with an area 8" in diameter that is red and hot with fever. No discharge. I contacted the On-call physician the next morning who prescribed an antibiotic (Levaquin 750mg) and told me to contact my physician the next morning. Day 3 - I met with my doctor that morning. He changed the antibiotic to Augmentin (875mg) twice daily and said yes to infection. He also said my body could be having a reaction to the plastic mesh. I asked if it needed to be removed and he said my body would adjust to it. Day 4 - The infected area is increasing, not shrinking. I have another appointment with my physician tomorrow morning (Day 5). I am getting very concerned!!! Any advice?????
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iowaal
replied on November 15th, 2009
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umbilical hernia drainage
I had the procedure and mesh (this is the second surgery for same problem first one was 9 years ago without mesh). It has been 9 days since surgery. Went back to surgeon after 7 and he remove some of the staples and it began draining and has been leaking every since then. I am also on an antibiotic. I have a follow up appointment in two days. I too am concerned and getting very tired of changing dressings as they "fill up" rather fast.
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