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Original Article Plastic and Aesthetic Research

Auricular seroma: a new concept in

management

Monika Shamrao Malgonde , Manoj Kumar 2
1
1 Department of ENT, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha 442102, Maharashtra, India.
2 Department of Orthopedics, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai 400050, Maharashtra, India.
Address for correspondence: Dr. Monika Shamrao Malgonde, Department of ENT, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram,
Wardha 442102, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: monika@mgims.ac.in

ABSTRACT
Aim: Auricular seroma is a cystic swelling with a collection of serous fluid between the perichondrium
and cartilage. The successful treatment of auricular seromas remains a challenge because this disease has
a high propensity for recurrence. Methods: A total of 20 patients with auricular seromas were treated
by remodeling a corrugated rubber drain. Results: All patients tolerated the procedure well. No patient
had any collection of fluid after the removal of the splint. No patient experienced pain, fever, or edema
after treatment. The seroma disappeared without disfigurement. There were no recurrences on further
follow-up. Conclusion: Aspiration and splint application by remodeling a corrugated rubber drain
provides very simple, minimally invasive, and effective management of seromas. It is a cost-effective
treatment that prevents patient distress from fluid recollection and social embarrassment.

Key words:
Auricular seroma, remodeling, corrugated rubber drain

INTRODUCTION METHODS

Auricular seroma is a cystic swelling with a collection of Between May 2010 and August 2013, we treated 20 cases
serous fluid between the perichondrium and cartilage. It of auricular seromas at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of
is usually in the upper part of the auricle. Seromas can Medical Sciences (Sevagram, India). No patient had any
develop spontaneously or after surgery or trauma (primarily history of insect bites or any other medical illness. One
blunt trauma) to the ear. An amber or straw-colored patient had a definite history of blunt trauma to the ear;
fluid is sometimes aspirated. Depending on the nature it was a nontender fluctuant swelling.
of the swelling and symptoms, auricular seromas can be All seromas were drained by aspiration using all aseptic
distinguished from other lesions of the pinna. Successful precautions [Figure 1]. The corrugated rubber drain was cut
[1]
treatment of auricular seromas is challenging because of and shaped in accordance with the site of the seroma. Using
their high propensity for recurrence. We propose a very 3-0 silk, the remodeled piece of corrugated rubber drain was
simple, effective management of seromas by remodeling a fixed through the cartilage using a single suture [Figure 2].
corrugated rubber drain.
Antibiotic ointment was topically applied, but no dressing was
applied. The patient was administered with oral antibiotics
Access this article online and oral anti-inflammatory drugs. After 3 days, the patients
were reviewed and the splint was removed. For the next
Quick Response Code:
Website: 7 days, the patients were followed-up for any recurrence.
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RESULTS
DOI:
10.4103/2347-9264.135537 Of the 20 patients, 18 patients were males and 2 patients
were females. Thirteen patients had swelling in the right
Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 1 || Issue 1 || Jun 2014 13