The incision looks fine, not hot too the touch. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If you think your concern cannot wait, please contact your own vet or call Animal Emergency Hospital at (616) 361-9911, at your own cost. Wearing a compression garment is the most reliable way to provide moderate pressure to the swollen region. Objective: A seroma is a pocket of fluid under a dog's skin. Larger seromas may take months to heal some can even take up to a year or more. If youre trying it at home, try using a clean, moist towel or gauze pack. May become an abscess, if secondarily infected. Hot packing increases circulation to the area and helps absorb this fluid. Unfortunately, calcification can have serious side effects, including organ function interference. 2011 Sep;41(5):995-1006. vii. Have your vet do a complete physical exam with complete blood count, blood chemistries, thyroid profile, serum cortisone levels, and urinalysis. It is intended for informational purposes only. However, research suggests that early drainage (within 24 hours post-surgery) can help the seroma grow instead of deflating. I forgot to mention he sent her home without antibiotics or a cone. Some students are taught to undermine and cut out the subcutaneous fat in the incision line. Massages also encourage healthy blood flow. Dogs in which drains were removed when fluid production rate was > 0.2 mL/kg/h (0.09 mL/lb/h) were significantly more likely to develop a seroma. How Long Does Subchorionic Bleeding Last? 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Needle aspiration is a popular seroma treatment. if the seroma continues to recur after 3 Exacerbated by excessive motion of the tissues at the surgical site. It sounds like the fluid has been drained 3 times and now you have some soreness. Almost two weeks ago my 6 mos ACD puppy, Odin, was neutered - he was cryptorchid (only one ball had descended) and so he had to have a more complex surgery to have it removed abdominally. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the They also encourage the healthy function of the lymphatic system, which plays a vital role in the reabsorption of serum. The serum needs to drainawayfrom the swollen area andintoblood vessels in the surrounding area. What happens if you dont drain a seroma? Contact your doctor as soon as you have concerns about a seroma. In many cases, a seroma can reabsorb back into the body without treatment. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She was very lethargic. Serum may surface from the surgical site like a sac thats secretly leaking. At this point my shorthair was draining fluid out of the top of her incision. We would really like to decrease the shedding and get her energy level up. Dogs that developed a seroma had significantly greater total drain fluid volume relative to body weight and greater fluid production rate at 24 and 72 hours as well as the last time point measured before drain removal. All right reserved. Spotting changes such as the lump starting to irritate the dog. Subchorionic Hematoma Bleeding vs Miscarriage in Pregnancy: Facts to Know! She currently is still on Cephalexin, 500mg one every 12 hours. The bloodwork came back with abnormal results in the kidneys and liver. As previously discussed, regular massages can help encourage serum reabsorption. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. This also causes pain, and it can lead to eye trauma (if sutures from the surgery accidentally rub on the eye, or if the eyelid heals improperly and no longer 8600 Rockville Pike In most cases, an ultrasound is all thats necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc/NCBI. The emergency vet noted she had dilated pupils, shaking and thickening palpable in cranial abdomen, and she had also suffered a seizure. To do this the vet may remove a few cells via a needle and send them for analysis (fine needle aspirate). It is a good idea to learn seroma symptoms, so you can notice them and react as soon as possible. The scrubbed and gowned surgeon then removes the lump, with wide margins of tissue around the lump. However, some seromas require careful treatment and drainage assistance. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.05.005. Thank you for your question, I would recommend emailing these pictures to your veterinarian tomorrow, but dogs can commonly accumulate some fluid underneath an incision after mass removal. World Dog Finder lets you find expert advice regarding dog breeds, dog care, and the latest news from the dogs world. She had full access to the incision. We have always fed them regular dog food and changed to a senior diet at around age seven. In most cases, your body will reabsorb the seroma in about a month. Before These clinical signs suggest early organ dysfunction. Develops over several days time while the wound is healing. For better understanding, canine seromas can be classified into two major groups: In this article, we will be mostly discussing surgical seromas. Thank you for your question. The .gov means its official. Internal infections can spread remarkably fast, especially when theyre in contact with blood vessels. Medical records (January 2005 to June 2012) were reviewed, and signalment, site of surgery and underlying disease process, histologic evaluation results, total drain fluid production, fluid production rate (mL/kg/h) at 12-hour intervals, cytologic evaluation of drain fluid, and development of dehiscence, infection, or seroma were recorded. The emergency vet advised him to just do a warm compress and keep and eye on it. Unfortunately, seromas can be a result of; Non-surgical seromas can appear anywhere on the dogs body, but they are most commonly caused by; if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'worlddogfinder_com-box-4','ezslot_5',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-worlddogfinder_com-box-4-0'); It is pretty hard to miss a seroma, especially if the incision was on the dogs belly, where the coat is absent. A warm compress can help stimulate blood and lymph flow around the seroma. He thought she might be having a reaction to the suture the original vet put in and that was why it was not healing. Heat encourages vasodilation, which refers to the widening of blood vessels. An ultrasonography procedure can also confirm the diagnosis before they provide treatment. Only $400 more over neuter charges seems rather cheap to me from the second vet but I can't believe they let that poor pup go so long without attention. The dog must avoid exertion, which could burst the stitches, and only go on gentle lead walks (as instructed by the vet). Answer: Seroma after Breast Implant Removal Hi beautifulrose1,Don't worry. Related: Does JP Drain Removal Hurt after Mastectomy? Seromas develop at incision sites and the accumulation of fluid is generally localized between the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Needle aspiration is generally practiced by doctors only and will be prescribed to you if required. Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine. The most common complication was dehiscence (n = 18), followed by seroma (14) and infection (4). Needles are commonly employed in the medical seroma reabsorption process. The thought of re insertion of a drainage system comes to my mind. Ask your surgeon about this thought ..// So now we are at almost $400 on top of his surgery and are looking at more for the potential additional surgery. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal To add to the good advice from others, when choosing a vet for your dog's spay or neuter ask them about their pain management plan the right vet or vet's staff will say, " yes, pain management is important, we provide all our patients with prescription pain meds to take at home and tell owners to monitor and if pet is in discomfort, please let us know so we can adjust dosage" -- if they (sign of the wrong vet) say pain meds are optional, dogs don't feel pain, the surgery isn't painful, or anything else that doesn't acknowledge post surgery pain, then select another vet << some vets don't believe dogs truly feel the pain they do because dogs can't talk and may appear stoic it's an old-fashioned belief, doctors used to have the same beliefs about babies and used to do operations without pain meds on babies until an astute observer noticed how much better post surgical outcomes were when babies weren't suffering in pain. More medications were tried but, since she was spayed, she sheds to the extreme. For example, a brain seroma might cause seizures or coma, and shoulder seroma might affect the dogs movement. Still, You can take specific measures to facilitate the reabsorption process. Usually, a dog with a seroma will manifest the following signs and Here, drainage refers to the process of serum being reabsorbed into the skin or surrounding tissue. For dog owners who decided to have their dog undergo aural hematoma repair surgery, it may be very upsetting if their dog's ear hematoma comes back after Use a heat pack, compression, or massage to facilitate the process. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Guieu LV, Bersenas AM, Brisson BA, Holowaychuk MK, Ammersbach MA, Beaufrre H, Fujita H, Weese JS. The dog then receives a premed injection, including pain relief, to prepare them for the anesthetic. Most seromas get reabsorbed by the body in 10 20 days. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'worlddogfinder_com-box-3','ezslot_3',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-worlddogfinder_com-box-3-0');If your dog had surgery, you know how stressful and nerve-wracking that can be. Drainage - If the seroma is severe, the vet might decide to temporarily place a drain in the skin. A seroma is a collection of clear fluid or serum that builds up in a cavity under the skin. But there are a few things you should avoid doing. A seroma should not be confused with the following: A seroma is more like an observable fluid-filled sac underneath the skin. Threaten corporate with bad social media publicity. Posting because I searched the sub and hadnt seen anything else like this here and I need to vent a little. What's Included, Already a subscriber? Yes please, I would like to read about future offers and latest news via email. If the seroma is directly under a surgical wound or stitches, massaging can do more harm than good. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Part of this fluid, called serum, comes from the leftover seroma fluid inside damaged and dying cells in the area. Your vet will diagnose a surgical seroma pretty quickly. Seroma compression can facilitate reabsorption of serum and deflate of the seroma. Presence of Seroma. Question We have two Labs, both 8 years old, Buck (black) and Bailey (yellow). He drained 30 CCs and decided that it was time to bandage her. Surgical seromas can occur on every incision line regardless of its location, but statistically speaking they tend to be more common on surgeries involving the ventral midline, or in simpler terms, the central part of the dogs belly. You can only practice needle aspiration if the seroma is not infected. This is why massagingaroundthe seroma helps more than massaging the seroma itself. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. Major surgery is painful and requires the dog to be in relatively good health in order to heal. We can brush her endlessly and she still sheds. Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Plus, the strain and movement of the animal creates tensions and causes excessive tissue inflammation that result in swelling and fluid accumulations in the tissues. I don't know that this had anything to do with the complications in your dog but as a general practice I think these patients need a chance to lie around and rest for 24 hours. This not only confirms what type of tumor was present, but checks that 'clean margins' were obtained, meaning that enough tissue was removed to reasonably assume the cancer has been eliminated from that area. If the seroma appeared on an incision site, there is little doubt about what it is. Hair is lying all over the house. In this article we will be covering the following information: Its important to monitor your puppys surgical incision daily for presence of seromas. View the slideshow below for seroma pictures. Our mission is to provide easy to read and in-depth medical information. I would not consider this a botched operation as you have titled it, but would be slightly kinder and call it a post-operative complication. A seroma is a buildup of clear fluid under the skin. Most seromas will reabsorb on their own. While you may not require treatment for a seroma, if it causes strain at the site of the incision, then it can cause the wound to open up and leak seroma fluid. Most seromas get reabsorbed by the body in 10 - 20 days. Either option can be dipped into a large bowl of clean, warm water and then carefully twisted to remove excess liquid. Answer: Seroma fluid keeps coming back. I also had him give me a sedative (or tranquilizer) called Acepromazine, which he prescribed one 25mg pill every 12 hours. The term serous indicates a specific type of fluid composed of blood plasma and inflammatory cells. This is typically true for larger seromas that tend to leave behind a hard knot if left untreated.. We have an ever growing content library on Vetlexicon so if you ever find we haven't covered something that you need please fill in the form below and let us know! They include infections and abscesses. I used staples several years ago when they were just new to the veterinary market and got over them in a short time. When the cloth or gauze is warm and moderately wet, carefully place it over the swollen area. Here are some more frequently asked questions about seromas. Death because of seroma rarely happens, but anything on the dogs brain shouldnt be taken lightly.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'worlddogfinder_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-worlddogfinder_com-leader-1-0'); Subscribe to the newsletter and enter the world of dogs. The incision is closed with sutures, and a dressing applied where appropriate. Surgical seromas occur as a post-surgical complication above the incision line. Vasodilated vessels allow for increased reabsorption of serum into these vessels. They take him back and thats when I finally found out that it was a seroma that had been there for awhile, leaked into his leg and ankle (which made it swollen), and it was infected. Mind you, it is best for the vet to look at the dog, but they might decide not to do anything. After your dog or cat has had surgery (no matter how old or young they are) you MUST keep them restricted for fourteen days. A Comprehensive Guide, How do you deal with small dogs? If the seroma appeared on an incision site, there is little doubt about what it is. Many women prefer wearing bras that have a tight fit (not too tight, though!). As we said, it is pretty hard to miss seromas, but it can happen. How can I stop it? Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. Related: Can Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Cost You Seroma? Related: Are Adderall Swollen Lymph Nodes True or a Myth? If the size isnt shrinking and the seroma keeps refilling, 2019 - 2022 wholesomealive.com. In my opinion the incision looks like it is healing appropriately, but I would follow up with your veterinarian too. Pain on the left side is a common symptom and could indicate a variety of conditions, ranging from injury to infection. I told them about what the other vet said and that we had called 3 times about it and were told not to come in. If she has a seroma, which by definition is a "pocket of clear serous fluid," then why is it still swollen with no more fluid is draining? WebAn average, recovery time from surgery is 10 - 14 days for straightforward cases. Mind you at this point Odin wouldnt let him any where near it. Visible swelling is the most common sign of a seroma. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. In dire circumstances, they will likely recommend a needle aspiration. Epub 2013 Oct 26. according to my research he should have had somewhere between a 6-10cm incision along with the normal neuter incision. This can lead to bruising and discomfort. I took her to her appointment and he said, "Yes, it's infected. We did take her to our vet to see what can be done about the excess shedding and he has prescribed Thyro-tabs twice a day. It may also affect the lymphatic system, which is in charge of helping the body combat infections. Compression of the seroma includes applying moderated amounts of pressure to the swollen site. Seromas usually contain inflammatory fluid and blood plasma. Okay, I immediately call the vet. They say he needs to come in but they cant see them because they have NO STAFF. Moral of the story. Seromas are our bodys way of compensating for the empty cavity thats left behind after the removal of tissue and cells. The dog must avoid exertion, which could burst the stitches, and only go on gentle lead walks (as instructed by the vet). While I appreciate you wanting a second opinion, without having access to the lab work or being able to examine your dog, it isn't possible for me to give an opinion on this. Get everything Gun Dog has to offer. This may include regularly screening to look for recurrence, or further treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. More precisely, it is an accumulation of serous fluid that forms on the site where the vet had to make an incision. During this time the dog must be prevented from licking the operation site by wearing a cone or having the area covered with a dressing. On Monday (five days after the drains were installed), I took her to a vet referred to me by my girlfriend's parents. Telltale signs of a seroma include reddening of skin near the place where surgery occurred. Wherever she lies down, she leaves a coating of hair. It is a good idea to learn seroma symptoms, so you can notice them and react as soon as possible. Regular massages help stimulate blood flow, similar to a warm compress. The nearer it is to an organ (as opposed to adipose tissue), the more likely it will cause damage. Whether or not this will happen depends upon where the calcification has occurred. If you wear a too tight or ill-fitting garment, you risk cutting off your blood supply from the swollen area. Some owners might miss it if the incision is made somewhere where the coat grows. +1(415)-323-0836 (Whatsapps), [emailprotected], Infected seromas should be shown to the doctor as soon as possible. A pets furry body provides the moist, warm home that fleas need, especially if your pet goes outside a lot and gets wet from the outdoors. The most common seroma symptoms in dogs are;if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'worlddogfinder_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-worlddogfinder_com-banner-1-0'); If the dog develops a non-surgical seroma, the symptoms will be more connected to the area it has affected. Because my calling 3 times over 4 days (off which they have a record of) wasnt enough. The surgery went great and she came home the same day. and transmitted securely. For internal tumors, the prep is made on the skin where the incision to gain access is made. by Ashley (Sacramento, CA) Monday, Jan 20 Monday, Jan 20 Monday, Jan 20 friday, jan 17 Our dog has this rash that keeps coming back, even after three Your dog is at the right age and shows the subtle onset of what could be a serious clinical disease. They should be asking the important questions of you to determine how serious his condition was and not based on how forceful you were. Post-surgery care for your dogs tumor will depend on where it was located and the extent of the surgical procedure required to remove it. Depending on the type of surgery, a seroma can take up to 710 days to appear. Maybe consider a malpractice complaint with the state/national vet board. When this blood flows near or around the seroma, it provides the area with chemical components required for healing and tissue regeneration. Costs vary depending on the surgical time and the complexity of the surgery. Plus, the bump should feel soft and squishy, unlike skin cancers that usually appear hard. Sign In or Start your online account. Incision sites are problematic just by their very location on the surface of the body. And will likely have to have surgery to repair the gaping hole in his leg. Receive latest Vetlexicon news and updates by signing up to our mailing list. Compression garments can help on how to help a seroma reabsorb. The seroma is on the outside of the body wall and thereby separated from the abdominal contents. This can create a pocket for fluid accumulation if not closed well. They are most commonly seen after breast surgeries, particularly those related to the removal of cancer cells. Medical-grade compression garments are also readily available at pharmacy stores. Bacterial infections are also common, especially after mastectomy. or start your online account, Already a subscriber? The drain game: back drains for latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction. Some centers may send you back without needle-assisted drainage simply because they believe your seroma will go away on its own, and you dont have to worry about how to help a seroma reabsorb. In many cases, the actual surgery is just part of the cost involved in treatment. Two days later I took her back and he told me it was cellulitis. WebSeromas are not usually serious, but any swelling or lump noted on your dog's incision area must be considered a post-operative complication. When a dog develops such a mass on or near an incision site, it is a telltale sign of a seroma. However, doctors will only recommend this if they feel that a particular seroma requires needle-assisted care. If the seroma does not improve or if the symptoms worsen, a All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. After draining the fluid several times, it should stop. Unique editorial written exclusively for premium members. Some leave them in the full 10 to 14 day healing period and they can be difficult to get out as they become imbedded in the tissue. I'd make them pay for those extra charges. Now the million dollar question. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Dogs may be at greater risk of seroma formation if their drains are removed while drainage is still occurring at a rate > 0.2 mL/kg/h. We put tshirts on her and change them frequently as the shirts get messy. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Remember, uninfected seromas may feature reddish skin and tenderness, but infected ones will elevate these symptoms. Complete Guideline to Get a Flat Stomach After Myomectomy! However, in some cases, it can take up to a year. Incomplete removal of an invasive tumor can mean it recurs. Over the next five days the area of the incision became swollen and hard. Here are some antibiotics and I'll give her an injection.". However, some cases might need treatment, and your vet might decide to do one of these things; If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call (616) 455-8220 #2 during normal office hours, Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm. This is expected since you had the drainage. In needle aspiration, the doctor will insert a syringe into the seroma and carefully use it to remove serum from the area. Remember, surgery is an art and some veterinarians are better artists than others. It occurs when a dog is active immediately after surgery instead of remaining inactive during the As many as half of Americans who develop sepsis will die from it. Veterinary reviewed by: Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS. 2015 May;56(5):325-30. doi: 10.1111/jsap.12339. Inflammation and lymphatic injury promote the accumulation of plasma between the layers of disrupted tissue. The formation of a seroma tends to occur when there is some empty, space between the layers of skin and abdomen. This group of tests will rule in or out several diseases and guide your veterinarian to areas that might need further testing to arrive at a final diagnosis. Avoid directly pressing upon the seroma. More precisely, it fills body cavities. Larger seromas may take months to heal some can even take up to a year or more. Let others know the service you received so they can make informed decisions in their vet care. The onset of infection may closely follow the development of seroma. It is BAD. Let me offer a detailed explanation of what seromas are and how you can enhance seroma reabsorption. Are Adderall Swollen Lymph Nodes True or a Myth? Obviously I should have gone with my better judgment. Animals: It is a good idea to check the dog's skin on a weekly basis and get any new lumps checked by the vet. They are not from the same litter. I had to call later for them to add actual pain meds (because apparently a 6-inch incision doesnt just warrant those automatically). Go Premium to recieve the follwing benefits: Already a subscriber? No change in her demeanor at all. The most common one is moving too much during the healing process.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'worlddogfinder_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-worlddogfinder_com-medrectangle-4-0'); This is not the only reason a dog can develop it. Top 10 Dogs to Choose For Apartment Living, 15 Fluffy Dog Breeds Perfect For Snuggles. A seroma is a buildup of clear fluid under the skin. Now, when I say swollen I am talking about tennis ball-sized, which I would think would be cause for alarm. Find Out Here, What do you do when you bring a rescue dog home? When in doubt, reach out to your physician. For some tumors it's helpful to know what the cancer is, in order to aid planning the operation. Hot packing includes applying heat to the seroma and irritated area. For a simple skin tumor removal, the cost can vary from $180 to 375, whilst more complex internal tumors run $1,000- $2,000 and upward. Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource. We did decrease her food and added green beans mixed in her food. It is like a huge rock off your shoulders if everything goes well. Infection may also arise due to bleeding caused by damaged blood vessels (mainly capillaries). This most commonly occurs at a surgical site following a procedure if the patient is too active. Sign In or start your online account. Help your body reabsorb seroma serum by applying a hot pack, wearing compression garments, and getting regular massages. Your veterinarian needs to examine the swelling so he can confirm the problem and determine the best course of treatment. But anything larger should ideally be checked out by a qualified medical professional. For small benign masses, surgery will be curative. The area around the lump will often be red, and the dog may lick or bite Improved blood circulation also facilitates serum reabsorption, which, in turn, helps with seroma drainage. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Internal stitches dissolve of their own accord but those in the skin will be removed at 10 - 14 days. Finally they opened her back up and the vet said it was a seroma. The vet said this could be a benign tumor causing a blockage towards these areas, but I would love a second opinion or any other possibilities just in case. Seroma is a common complication of Maybe consider a malpractice complaint with the state/national vet board. Bailey was spayed in January, 2007. For large malignant masses, the surgery may not be curative but may 'debulk' the tumor and buy the patient some extra time and a better quality of life. Read on to find out more about what causes a seroma. Access the worlds largest online veterinary resources, written by leading experts for 14 days. Many healthcare professionals choose to skip the scans and rely upon physical examination instead. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Took her back again two days later and he drained 20 more CCs. Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts. 2011. WebDo you know about seroma in dogs? Not only does this put the pet's long-term health in peril, but the eventual treatment is liable to be more expensive as a result of increased complexity. What is a seroma and what is the right canine seroma treatment? An official website of the United States government. Heres What to Expect, Is there going to be a season 4 of puppy dog pals? She didn't eat the green beans. I gave them the rundown and the doctor examined her. Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion), View All Symptoms and Conditions Articles, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6968505/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5816325/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557687/, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fdcc/fe15e2baaffcd09caff33e049abdf717aa02.pdf?_ga=2.76283862.271713552.1657208319-314910196.1650620928, https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/PLA_SA_01_LP.pdf, https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/seroma, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5575675/, subclinical infection, which is an infection without any symptoms, sensation of straining against the stitches, closed-suction drainage, which is when a medical professional squeezes a. sclerotherapy, which involves filling the empty space with an irritating substance to trigger fibrosis, presence of a large empty space, which can occur after the removal of tissue during surgery.