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Thursday, July 05, 2012 Roadwarrior83 asks

Q: Tissue expanders, excessive draining and infection?

I had a BMX this May and tissue expanders placed. The drains came out 2 weeks later and the left never drained much. Shortly after, the left side starting getting very hard, especially on the bottom. After the first fill, I noticed immediate redness on the left and there was pronounced swelling. The right side had more saline, but the left looked 3 times bigger. I started taking antibiotics (Keflex) and 2 days later my left drainage site reopened and I started gushing out yellow bleachy-smelling fluid. The swelling and redness subsides, but I'm still draining almost 2 weeks later. I can also feel the edge of the expander on the left, the underside is still red (particularly 1 spot) and I'm in pain most of the time. Surprisingly, the culture did not grow anything, so there may have been no infection to begin with. Anyone else have a similar experience?
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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/ 5/12 12:46pm

I trust your surgeon is keeping a close eye on this. Even if it didn't grow a culture, it sure sounds like an infection of some kind - or perhaps severe nerve irritation. I hope it continues to heal (which can be a gradual process), and that the rest of your procedure goes more smoothly. Take care - PJH

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By Roadwarrior83— Last Modified: 07/05/12, First Published: 07/05/12