Hello,
It is the response to oral or intravenous medications, which matters to decide the course of action in
hematoma condition. If the size of hematoma is small or moderate, responding to medicines, confirmed by decreasing size on
ultrasound imaging and lowering of pain, absence of fever; one may definitely recover over a period of time (varies very widely and is case dependent).
If the hematoma size is not decreasing over time, or increasing, with increase in pain level, new appearance of fever,
redness & warmth over the skin indicates possible
abscess development and must be drained without delay. Over and above, if the patient decides that he or she is not willing to go for a trial period of conservative therapy, he or she must discuss the option of surgical
drainage for best early recovery and prevention of secondary bacterial infection via staph or other bacteria.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon