Morel Lavallee

Reconstructive

Do you have a recurrent fluid collection after a trauma or accident that is baffling your doctors.  If so, we can help!  At Phoenix Plastic Surgery, we are committed to addressing a wide range of soft tissue injuries including the challenging and often misdiagnosed Morel-Lavallee lesion. Dr. Roni Prucz, a distinguished expert in reconstructive surgery, specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of these unique injuries.

Pathology of Morel-Lavallee Lesions: A Closer Look

Morel-Lavallee lesions, also known as closed degloving injuries, occur when a shearing force separates the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia. This separation creates a space that can fill with blood, lymph, and cellular debris. These lesions are often associated with trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or falls, and can be challenging to manage due to their unique characteristics.

Before and After Photo Excision of Morrel Lavalle Lesion From Thigh Phoenix Arizona

Diagnosing Morel-Lavallee Lesions: Precision Matters

Diagnosing Morel-Lavallee lesions requires a thorough evaluation. Clinical presentation may include swelling, pain, and a fluctuant mass in the affected area. Imaging studies such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans are valuable tools for confirming the diagnosis.

Non-Surgical Management

Smaller lesions may respond to conservative treatments like rest, compression, and drainage. Serial aspirations—repeated removal of fluid—might be attempted for gradual reduction.

Surgical Treatment: Precision and Expertise

Surgical intervention is often necessary to effectively treat Morel-Lavallee lesions. The initial step in surgical treatment involves debriding any devitalized tissue and thoroughly draining the collection of fluid and debris. This helps reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. After debridement, closed suction drains may be placed to continue draining any residual fluid and to prevent re-accumulation.  Depending on the size and complexity of the lesion, primary closure of the wound may be possible. However, in some cases flap reconstruction may be required.

Choose Precision and Healing: Phoenix Plastic Surgery

When facing the challenges of Morel-Lavallee lesions, trust the hands of an experienced expert. Dr. Prucz’s commitment to surgical mastery, fused with compassionate care, ensures that your experience is marked by exceptional support. With years of experience and top-notch training, Dr. Prucz is the number one rated Plastic Surgeon in Phoenix, Scottsdale Top Plastic Surgeon, and a Paradise Valley Top Plastic SurgeonClick here to schedule your consultation now!

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Related Procedures

Reconstructive

Artificial Joint Infections

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Brachial Plexus Repair

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Breast Implant Removal

Breast implants are removed for a variety of reasons including infection, capsular contracture, and implant sickness syndrome.  Depending on the clinical scenario the breast implant may be replaced.
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Breast Implant Illness

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Breast Implants

Breast augmentation is when a silicone or saline implant is placed beneath the breast tissue or the pectoral muscle to improve the size and shape of a breast.  Breast implants are also used for breast reconstruction.
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Breast Reconstruction

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Breast Revision

Breast surgeries can be complicated by infection, capsular contracture, and unwanted cosmetic results.  Our surgical team specializes in correcting these deformities to restore the breast size and shape you desire.
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Burn Reconstruction

Burns can be severe injuries causing significant deformities, contractures, and limiting mobility.  A variety of options including skin grafts, tissue expanders, and flap reconstruction can be used to improve these injuries.
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Carpal Tunnel Release

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Cubital Tunnel Release

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DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

A DIEP (i.e. deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap reconstruction uses the patient’s own abdominal tissue to reconstruct the breast.  The skin and fat is lifted off of the abdominal muscle and transferred to the breast.  With this advanced technique, which is performed by only a few surgeons in the Valley, the patient’s breast are reconstructed without implants using her own abdominal tissue.  As an added bonus since the transferred tissue is from the belly the patient gets a tummy tuck! Also, unlike a TRAM (i.e. transverse rectus adipomyocutaneous) flap reconstruction, the abdominal muscles are not removed decreasing hernias and bulges.
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Ear Surgery

Otoplasty is a surgical tool used to correct prominent ears and improve the appearance of other common ear deformities.   Tears or large holes from ear piercings can also be corrected.
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Facial Fractures

Fractures of the face often require surgery to return the bones to their normal position.  Plates and screws are often applied to keep the bones in the correct position.  Treatable fractures include injuries to the mandible, orbit, cheek (i.e. zygoma), and nose.
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Fat Grafting

Fat grafting is a safe and permanent alternative to synthetic fillers that uses liposuction to harvest your excess body fat and transfer it to areas needing soft tissue augmentation.  This powerful technique can be used to reduce wrinkles, correct dark eyes, and large fat transfers can also be used for breast surgery.
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Hand Dislocations

Dislocations of the joints of the hand often require surgery to return the bones to their normal position.  Wires and screws may be need to keep the joints in their normal position.
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Hand Fractures

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Hernia Repair

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Latissimus Muscle Flap

The latissimus muscle is a back muscle and one of the largest muscles of the body.  The muscle can be transferred for reconstruction of the breast or torso.  The latissimus can also be transferred as a free flap for reconstruction of extremity wounds.
Reconstructive

Limb Salvage

Traumatic injuries and cancer may require that a limb be amputated.  Our team is one of the most experienced groups in the Valley with a high success rate for limb salvage.  Advanced surgical techniques are routinely offered to preserve functional limbs whenever possible.
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Lipomas and Cysts

Lumps and bumps are due to a variety of abnormal growths including lipomas (i.e. benign growths of fat) and cysts.  They can cause disfigurement, pain, and infections. Only removal by a skilled surgeon that completely excises the abnormal tissue can ensure these lesions do not recur.
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Mastopexy

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Microsurgery

Microsurgery is an advanced surgical technique where a microscope is used to repair nerves and blood vessels.  It is also a powerful tool for transferring tissue from one part of the body to another (i.e. free flap) and reattachment of severed parts (i.e. replantation).  Microsurgery reconstruction is typically reserved for complex problems where skin grafting and local muscle flaps are not an option.
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Migraine Surgery

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Muscle Flap

Muscle flaps are a powerful tool for reconstructive procedures. By transferring muscle to different parts of the body soft tissue defects can be corrected to cover bone, nerves, vessels, artificial joints, and other hardware.
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Nerve Injury

Nerve injuries can cause permanent disability.  Using advanced surgical techniques including microsurgery, nerve grafts, and nerve transfers function can be restored.
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Otoplasty

Prominent ears are ears that stick out from the head more than is considered normal. During an otoplasty procedure the ear is reshaped and repositioned by correcting the cartilage and skin deformity.  The surgery takes about an hour to complete and the results are permanent.
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Peroneal Nerve Decompression

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Sarcoma Reconstruction

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Scalp Reconstruction

Injuries to the scalp from trauma, chronic wounds, or defects from cancer can be reconstructed using a variety of surgical techniques including skin grafts, tissue expanders, and local tissue rearrangement.
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Scar Revision

Scars from injuries or prior surgeries can be improved with non-surgical options such as skin resurfacing or with surgery to create a finer scar.  Contractures, contour deformities, discoloration, and wide scars can often be significantly improved.
Reconstructive Cosmetic

Skin Cancer

Cancers of the skin include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.  Our team specializes in removing these cancers and reconstructing the affected area to minimize scarring.
Reconstructive

Spine Reconstruction

Spine surgeries including decompressions and fusions can become exposed or infected.  Our team works closely with Spine surgeons to cover exposed hardware and reconstruct surgical wounds.  We perform more spine salvage procedures than any other reconstruction team in the Valley.
Reconstructive

Sural Flap

A sural flap is an adipofascial flap used to reconstruct wounds of the ankle and leg. It provides thin pliable skin without the need for a skin graft.
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Targeted Muscle Reinnervation

Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (i.e. TMR) is a surgical procedure that prevents neuroma formation by transferring an injured nerve to a recipient nerve. The recipient nerve provides a "pathway" for the injured nerve to regenerate decreasing pain allowing an amputee to more comfortably wear their prosthesis.
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Tarsal Tunnel Decompression

Posterior tibial nerve compression causes numbness of the foot, pain, and weakness of the ankle.  Surgical decompression of the tibial nerve improves these symptoms.
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Tendon Injuries

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Tissue Expander

A tissue expander is an empty implant that is placed beneath skin and fat to stretch tissue.  Expanders are used commonly in breast reconstruction, burn injuries, and anywhere else where additional skin is needed to fix an injury.
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Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations are abnormal growths of the blood vessels.  These malformations can create painful "lumps and bumps" and resection often requires reconstruction using local tissue advancement techniques.
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Wound Treatment

Acute and chronic wounds can be debilitating.  Reconstruction options include skin grafts, local tissue rearrangement, muscle flap, and free flap surgery.  Non-surgical options also include the use of the newest wound healing products and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Reconstructive

Wrist and Hand Fractures

Wrist, hand, and finger fractures are common injuries that can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Surgical treatment is often required.