Morel-Lavallee lesion. Results of surgical drainage with the use of synthetic glue

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of surgical drainage and use of synthetic glue in Morel-Lavallee lesions.

METHODS: We treated 7 Morel-Lavallee lesions in Ankara Bayindir Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between April 2003 and June 2004. These lesions developed in 5 male patients due to crush under a vehicle or a traffic accident. The mean age was 32.8 years; range 16-55. All lesions were localized in thigh. One patient had surgery due to acetabulum fracture and one had an urological operation for urethral rupture. All patients were operated 6-48 hours after the injury. After surgical drainage, soft tissues were attached with the use of synthetic glue and compressive bandage was applied. We defined healing as the loss of fluctuation and elicitation of the normal mobility of the injured skin on manual examination. The mean follow-up was 11.6 months (range 8-20 months).

RESULTS: One patient was operated for acetabulum fracture and had a bilateral Morel-Lavallee lesion 2 days after the operation. This patient was reoperated for drainage. All lesions were healed with a mean of 5 weeks (range 3-8 weeks). No infection, necrosis or recurrences were detected during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Results of the treatment with the use of synthetic glue and surgical drainage in Morel-Lavallee lesion are satisfactory with early healing time without recurrence.