What is implied by the term "seroma" in the context of post-surgical complications?

The term "seroma" refers specifically to a collection of clear fluid that accumulates in the tissue, typically at the site of a surgical incision or injury. This fluid is known as serum, which is the clear, yellowish component of blood obtained after blood coagulation. In the context of post-surgical complications, a seroma can occur when the lymphatic vessels are disrupted or when there is a separation of tissue planes during surgery, leading to fluid accumulation.

This accumulation is not the same as blood accumulation, which would be referred to as a hematoma, nor is it related to infection, which would result in purulent fluid. Additionally, scar tissue formation is also a different process related to healing after surgery. Thus, when discussing seromas, the focus is on the fluid build-up specifically, making it the accurate description for this particular post-surgical complication.