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PV123's avatar
PV123
Member
6 years ago

Mastectomy Drain - increasing quantity and red colour due to haematoma

I had bilateral mastectomies last Thursday, tomorrow will be a week since the surgery.  The drain for the left breast was removed after three days at the hospital.  The right side has a haematoma that showed the day after the surgery.  The fluid in the drain is still bright red and The quantity seems to be increasing today.  The last few days it was about 35 mls but I expect tomorrow it might be closer to 40 mls.  I spoke to the surgeon today and she said that as the haematoma is small, about 6 cms long and 4 cms wide there is nothing to worry about.  She also said that the fluid is red in colour due to the haematoma.

Has anyone had a similar experience of having increasing fluid or continuous blood on day 6 which shows no signs of turning pale in colour?

The surgeon has indicated that she will remove the drain once the fluid/blood is less than 20 mls for 2 days, is this normal or has anyone had their drains removed when it was draining 30 or 35 mls?  


3 Replies

  • brightspace's avatar
    brightspace
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi PV123  yes to 20 mls for me 
    Took one week for drain fluid ti get to 20. I stayed in hospital was given option of going home after four but chose to stay as surgeon checked each day
    Surgeon said to return tohave excess fluid removedb  needle if returned.it did became uncomfortable and firm .so four days later needed to return 
    Good luck with recovery
    Bright inh  
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    6 years ago
    As I recall I had a whole solid clot worked its way down the tube which they said was normal too. They left the mastectomy drain in for nearly two weeks and I had no troubles after the removed it.
    When I had axillary clearance I also had a drain from my underarm. They took that one out after only a few days and I did still have about 40mls discharge. I spent the next month in ER getting oranges sized swelling drained.
    You are sort of at risk with a drain too long but then also prone to swelling if its not left in there long enough.