Buttock Implant Incision Opening

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have developed a buttock implant incision opening. I have been putting antibiotic ointment on my buttock incision and washing it with Hibacleanse but, a few times when I sat down, lots of fluid came out of the incision. (clear pinkish yelllowish no bad odor or anything) I have to use Maxipads to soak up (a few, two fully soiled) I just wanted to make sure its normal. Also is there another type of ointment you can prescribe that will be stronger in helping the incision heal and close? That would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you, I am pasting a photo in this email of the incision as well.

A: Thank you for your buttock implant followup. It is clear that such fluid output represents a seroma. (fluid buildup in the implant pocket) Having one central infragluteal incision makes it impossible to know whether this is coming from just one or both implant sides. While I would obviously prefer not to have such a fluid output, it is always better that such fluid comes out rather than stays in. I would agree that this seroma fluid does not represent an infection, just a typical serous fluid collection that often develops initially around implants. 

As long as this fluid continues to come out, it does not matter what topical treatment you use as it is really irrelevant. The incision is not going to go on to fully heal until this fluid egress ceases. There is nothing you can do for making the fluid output cease, it is just something that has to run its course. Once the fluid output is less or nonexistent, the topical treatment of choice is going to be Silvadene. This will help the wound edges heal in as well as provide an antibiotic effect. This is far more powerful than the antibiotic ointment you are using now. That is something I would like to start as soon as possible. 

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana