Doxycycline for Seromas

RE
Overseen ByRobert E Carrier, DO
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Seromas are collections of serous fluid that can develop following surgical procedures and may persist as fibrous-lined pseudocysts if not adequately treated. In orthopedic surgery, particularly after arthroplasty, seromas can impair wound healing, increase pain, and limit postoperative rehabilitation, potentially compromising patient recovery. Current treatment strategies including compression, percutaneous aspiration, and repeat surgical intervention have variable success, and aspiration carries the risk of introducing bacteria into an otherwise sterile fluid collection. Sclerotherapy has been proposed as an alternative strategy to induce fibrosis within the cavity and eliminate the potential space. Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic commonly used for pleurodesis, has demonstrated sclerosing properties through mechanisms including mesothelial cell destruction, inhibition of fibrinolysis, and stimulation of fibroblast activity. While doxycycline sclerotherapy has shown success in treating conditions such as Morel-Lavallée lesions and has been described in isolated orthopedic case reports, its role in managing postoperative seromas after arthroplasty remains poorly studied. Further investigation is needed to determine whether doxycycline injection may serve as a safe and effective treatment to reduce persistent seromas and the need for additional interventions in orthopedic patients.

Who Is on the Research Team?

CM

Colin McNamara, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Miami

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

I am older than 18 years.
Willing and able to provide informed consent
Pre-operative imaging (US, CT) demonstrating seroma formation
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy or lactation
History of photosensitivity or photodermatosis
I have serious liver or kidney problems.
See 6 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a single intraoperative dose of doxycycline (500mg) to manage postoperative seromas

Immediate (single dose)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including postoperative ultrasounds and patient-reported outcome measures

6 months
Routine postoperative clinic visits

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Doxycycline

How Is the Trial Designed?

1

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Intraoperative DoxycyclineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Miami

Lead Sponsor

Trials
976
Recruited
423,000+