Cicatrix Optima of Windsor ON | Arm Lift

Cosmetic Surgery>>Trunk & Limbs >> Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

CICATRIX * OPTIMA 1720 HOWARD AVE, SUITE 364 WINDSOR, ON N8X 5A6 TEL/FAX: 519.971 0971

Possible Complications

Fluid collection (seroma): This is a collection of serum in small pockets beneath the skin flaps. Generally, the seroma will spontaneously resorb. Occasionally, needle aspiration is necessary.

Infection: Infection following brachioplasty is rare. The incidence is less than 1% and severe infections are extremely uncommon. However, any surgical wound can become infected. An infection usually will become apparent a few days after the surgery. The signs are: pain, redness, heat and swelling. Antibiotics and dressing changes will often control it. On rare occasions, hospitalization and formal drainage in the operating room may be needed to control more significant infections.

You will be given a prophylactic antibiotic when undergoing your brachioplasty. In addition you will be sent home with a prescription for antibiotics for 4-5 days.

Bleeding (haematoma): You should expect a small amount of bleeding from your incision line during the first 24 to 36 hours after your surgery.

Any type of surgery may result in excessive bleeding in the operated area. This may be due to a temporary increase in blood pressure, for example due to coughing. It can also occur from the effects of medication like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs. Bleeding is usually manifested by acute swelling of the area, discolouration of the skin, pain and a feeling of tension. External compression of the wound usually stops it. In rare cases, if it continues, we may have to stop it after reopening the incision. Massive bleeding may require hospitalization and transfusion.

If the accumulation of blood is small, it may be allowed to absorb by itself or aspiration may be indicated as with a seroma. However, if it is large, formal drainage in an operating room may be necessary.

Death (necrosis) of tissue resulting in delayed healing: When blood circulation is inadequate to bring sufficient oxygen to the tissues, some of the tissue furthest away from the blood supply may be lost. The skin will discolour and form a dark dry crust which will eventually separate off. The underlying normal tissues heal by themselves. This may leave a wide scar. Skin necrosis is not infrequent in patients who smoke but it is uncommon in non-smokers. Significant necrosis may necessitate further operative procedures to remove the unhealthy skin and revise the scar in the future.

Prominent, unsightly scars (thick, red, ropy, itchy, and painful): The normal healing of wounds is a physiological process which continues to take place in the depths of the tissues for many months before final resolution. At first, the surgical scar is almost invisible. Then it becomes red and somewhat elevated for about 3 months. It then becomes paler, softer and flatter and reaches its resolved state in 6 to 12 months. Aesthetic surgery has its limitations. Any time the skin is opened a scar of some kind results. This may be a good scar (fine white line) or a conspicuous one, but there is always a scar of some sort.

Each individual’s healing is different. Some form fine white lines while others will form heavier ones. The surgeon has no influence on the actual formation of a scar. Factors that can influence the quality of healing include smoking, obesity, infection and nutrition. The complete mechanisms of wound healing are not yet fully understood. Thus, the factors that may lead to formation of a conspicuous scar are not yet known.

This operation requires the use of external compression and the tape and dressings used to do this may cause blistering of the skin.

Very heavy (hypertrophic) scars or keloids (scars which escape the confines of the original wound) are uncommon. They are found most frequently on the front of the chest, abdomen, and shoulder area. Dark skinned peoples (particularly those of African, Asian or Mediterranean descent) are more susceptible to the development of hypertrophic scars. Methods of treatment for unsightly scars include local pressure, cortisone injection, topical creams, and surgical revision.

Sun exposure of a new scar should be avoided for the first year following your operation. An immature scar exposed to sun may become more visible and pigmented.

Persistent edema (swelling): This may be due to interruption of lymphatic drainage in the upper arm. Elevation and elastic compression may be required for several weeks to months.

Nerve injury: Extreme care is taken to preserve as many nerves as possible. Division of cutaneous nerves (i.e. in the skin) may result in numbness on the operated area of the arm and painful nerve endings. This generally improves during the first year post-operatively.

Blood clots in the arms (venous thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism): These complications, though rare, are among the most serious from this type of surgery. Conditions predisposing a patient to these complications would include obesity, smoking, and a history of cardiac and pulmonary disease or blood clotting disorders.