3 week post op - question about incisional hematoma

Norland
Norland Member Posts: 1
in Kidney Cancer #1

It’s been almost three weeks since my laparascopic radical nephrectomy.   The first few days, and even the first week at home were certainly “challenging” in terms of pain, mobility, general discomfort, etc, but there’s been slow but steady progress since,  

About a week ago (the two week mark), I just happened to look down, and was shocked to see that my shirt was blood-soaked on the site of the incision.  Being the alarmist that I tend to be, I thought, “Oh no, I’ve ruptured something or there’s something else that seriously wrong”.    I made a trip to the hospital where the urologic surgeon/resident looked at it and  simply informed me that it was a hematoma, and not uncommon. He then proceeded to massage the incision and to express a fair amount of dark colored (old) blood out.     He informed me that hematoma’s were often absorbed over time, but sometimes they don’t get absorbed. 

Overall, the discoloration around the incision is getting less (going from purple to yellow), but there is still some protrusion right at the largest (about 4 inch) incision, and there’s still some sensitivity there.   I’m not seeing any signs of infection, but I am wondering about

1. how long it might take, on average, for this kind of hematoma to get absorbed, and 

2. whether at some point, if it does not resolve, it might need to be aspirated?

Any thoughts or experience with this would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

Norland

 

Comments

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 978 Member
    #2
    Hi Norland!

    Welcome!  Although I don't have experience with a full nephrectomy, I have read on previous posts that it sometimes takes months for these hematomas to get absorbed.  I think it is a good sign that the brusing is changing colors like it is, which tells me that it is healing correctly.  The biggest concern would be an infection.  Since you indicate that it doesn't appear that you've had one, I'm guessing you're are healing just fine.

    Again, welcome Norland. 

    Stub

  • Teashea
    Teashea Member Posts: 89 Member
    #3
    Wishing you the best

    Wishing you a quick recovery. God bless you.

  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    #4
    Hematoma

    I had a large hematoma in the renal fossa after they removed my kidney. In fact, it was discovered by my first CT after surgery. They thought it was a recurrence so I had a biopsy before I was scheduled to start sutent. My hematoma has never completely gone away. It's been six years and it still shows on my CTs. They tell me it's just a solid mass of tissue now. It doesn't bother me as it's deep inside. On a side note, my dog has a hematoma in her ear flap. It's reduced in swelling by about 2/3 but I think it will never completely go away unless they remove it surgically. Since it doesn't affect her, I am going to leave it alone. 

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