title: Evaluation of fluid production and seroma formation after placement of closed suction drains in clean subcutaneous surgical wounds of dogs: 77 cases (2005-2012).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate fluid production and factors associated with seroma formation after placement of closed suction drains in clean surgical wounds in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  77 client-owned dogs with a subcutaneous closed suction drain placed following a clean surgical procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  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. Associations among variables were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common complication was dehiscence (n = 18), followed by seroma (14) and infection (4). 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. 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seroma formation was more common in dogs with a higher rate of fluid production relative to body weight, but was not associated with the number of days that a closed suction drain remained in situ. 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Shaver
authors.forename: Geraldine B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Scott W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kidd
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D049291:Seroma / Q000662:veterinary*; D013396:Suction / Q000662:veterinary*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors