PREVENTION OF SEROMAS AND HEMATOMAS AFTER FACELIFT SURGERY WITH THE USE OF POSTOPERATIVE VACUUM DRAINS

Objective: To evaluate the rate of hematoma and seroma formation in a series of rhytidectomies performed with and without the use of intrawo und vacuum drains. Design: Retrospective chart review of 222 consecuti ve face-lifts performed by a single surgeon using an identical surgica l technique before and after the use of vacuum wound drains. The patie nts were divided into 2 groups of 111 patients each. Group 1 patients underwent surgery without drains, while group 2 patients had suction d rains placed at the time of surgery. Main Outcome Measure: The occurre nce of seromas and hematomas within the first 24 hours after surgery. Results: In group 1, 41 patients (37%) developed seromas and 9 (8%) de veloped hematomas; the hematomas were small and were treated by aspira tion alone. In group 2, 17 patients (15%) developed seromas and 8 (7%) developed hematomas. The decrease in the rate of seroma occurrence wa s statistically significant, while the decrease in hematoma formation did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The use of intraw ound vacuum drains during the first 24 hours after surgery significant ly decreases the rate of seroma formation. The occurrence of hematomas is also reduced, but less dramatically.