The Problem of Seroma After Ventral Hernia Repair

Seroma is a common postoperative finding after ventral hernia repair with an incidence of 20%. Often, it can be managed conservatively, but in the case of persistent or chronic seroma, reinterventions may be required. Closed drain suction has been the mainstay of seroma management for the last 40 years. Other alternative technologies have been evaluated to improve outcomes with mixed results. Because seroma is common, it is often an accepted outcome. Patient morbidity and costs to the healthcare system are underestimated, which begs for a re-evaluation of the current state of seroma management that is nearly a half-century old.