“What causes black blood after surgery?”
My blood looks black. I had a surgery done recently and now there is black blood from that surgical wound. What could be causing this? Should I go back to my surgeon?
4 Answers
You had a hematoma after Surgery in that area, a collection of old blood.
It’s just old blood.
You should see your surgeon. I cannot be sure from your description, but this does happen. Wounds will drain fluid. You are probably not seeing "black blood." What you are seeing is old blood that often accumulates in surgical wounds. As the blood ages the cells break down and the hemoglobin is released. The hemoglobin, it oxidizes and the oxygen that is bound the hemoglobin separates from the hemoglobin. This is why the blood that is draining is dark, but not black.
What you are describing sounds like a hematoma, or an old collection of blood within the surgical wound. Fresh blood is bright red. Old blood (hematoma) looks more maroon/black. If you are having drainage from your wound, you should contact your surgeon immediately.
