One in Ten Develop Seroma
Retrospective analysis outlines incidence and risk factors
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By
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Jess Allerton
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February 17, 2026
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1
Seroma developed in 11% of patients after parotidectomy in a study of 527 cases published in Frontiers in Surgery.
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The median onset of seroma was 4 days post-drain removal, with a median resolution time of 17 days.
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Independent risk factors for seroma included anterior tumor location, larger tumor size, higher BMI, and facelift-type incision.
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Persistent seroma occurred in 4% of patients, defined as fluid lasting over 14 days or requiring multiple aspirations.
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The study suggests that tumor characteristics and incision type may be more predictive of seroma than surgical extent.
