Oedema
Cosmetic Surgery - Plastic Surgery - Aesthetic Medicine - Reconstructive Surgery
Oedema is swelling of a tissue or organ caused by fluid overload.
The balanced distribution of water in the human body (which is 60%
water) is carried out by means of blood pressure that will allow the
diffusion of fluid into the tissues, that is to say, from the blood
vessels into the extracellular space (hemodynamic pressure) and from
the tissues into the capillaries (oncotic pressure). Constancy in the
quantities of serum in the blood and tissues is properly maintained.
Balance is also established through the kidneys which will eliminate
waste via urine.
When there is a disturbance in this balance, this leads to the formation of oedema.
Oedema is a common postsurgical complication following plastic
surgery; it appears, usually within 48 hours following surgery.
There are two main types of factor causing oedema:
- mechanical factors affecting the water balance such as venous or lymphatic obstruction. Increased pressure in the veins and capillaries may also be due to heart failure.
- physicochemical factors that are found in the nephrotic syndrome or renal failure. Protein deficiencies but also some vasodilator drugs can cause oedema.
The main sign of oedema is an increase in weight and
when this becomes worse, there is often swelling of the legs. Oedema
also affects other body parts (abdomen, chest, face, etc.) and, in the
case of surgery, the treated area.
The characteristic of subcutaneous cellular tissue swollen by oedema
is that it “dents”, that is to say, when the skin is pressed with a
finger, this leaves a momentarily hollow mark on the skin.
Oedema can, most of the time, be treated simply by stimulating the
evacuation of the liquid by the kidneys into the urine using
diuretics, dietary salt restriction but also, in some cases, the
wearing of stockings (in the case of the legs). Treatments vary
depending on the type and cause of the oedema. In oedema, the
infiltrating liquid does not cause significant changes to the natural
elements. When the infiltration disappears, the tissue recovers its
normal characters.