Is a pimple at the drain site after surgery concerning?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mom recently had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. It has been around 22 days, and the stitches are pretty good. However, at the draining site where the drain was placed, the hole is closed, but in the region where the anchor stitch was placed, a pimple was formed eight days ago. My mom is currently on Augmentin, which was taken on day five. But it is not resolved. It is draining and forming a crust, and again, it is forming pus. It is tiny and has slight redness around it, but it is not spreading.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern. This sounds like a localized stitch abscess or mild foreign body reaction, fairly common at previous suture sites, especially where the drain or tension sutures were placed. It may be due to a buried non-absorbable stitch tip, mild localized infection or reaction to the suture material.

What to do?

Wound care: Clean the area gently twice a day with soap and water. Do not squeeze or pick the area. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment such as Mupirocin or Fusidic acid twice daily after cleansing.
Antibiotics: If there is no fever or spreading redness, continuing oral Augmentin for seven days may be adequate.
Consult the surgeon: Since this is a minor but persistent post-operation issue, a quick review by the operating surgeon is advisable. The surgeon can assess if a suture tip needs to be removed or if minor drainage or culture is required.
Signs to watch for (seek earlier review if any of these signs occur): Worsening redness or swelling, fever, spreading pain or warmth around the site, and an increase in pus are the signs to watch. This does not sound dangerous or alarming at this stage since her vitals and blood tests (sugar, lipids, BP (blood pressure)) are normal. The area is small, localized, and not spreading, and she is systemically well. However close monitoring and a quick outpatient wound review would help ensure complete healing.

I hope this answers your query.

Let me know if I need to assist you further.

Thank you.