One in Ten Develop Seroma
Retrospective analysis outlines incidence and risk factors
By
Jess Allerton
February 17, 2026
1
Seroma developed in 11% of patients after parotidectomy in a study of 527 cases published in Frontiers in Surgery.
2
The median onset of seroma was 4 days post-drain removal, with a median resolution time of 17 days.
3
Independent risk factors for seroma included anterior tumor location, larger tumor size, higher BMI, and facelift-type incision.
4
Persistent seroma occurred in 4% of patients, defined as fluid lasting over 14 days or requiring multiple aspirations.
5
The study suggests that tumor characteristics and incision type may be more predictive of seroma than surgical extent.
