I'm on day 9 after a recent ablation for flutter, having had an original fib ablation plus top-up procedure back in 2002. I have discovered a bit of a lump...
The wound site is mending itself with the haematoma colouring going, the pressure dressing came off on day 2, however, I have a bit of a lump underneath the skin at the wound site, R groin. It's a bit tender, feels about 5 cm long, a bit cylindrical of say 1 to 1.5 cm size, but today there's more lump one end of it than the other. Slightly restricting movement in that I can feel it if I bend down.
I'm currently assuming it's nothing to worry about, however, I didn't have this after my previous ablations nor on the left after a cardiac stent. They may have done a lot of femoral access during my AD surgery in 2017, too. I will contact a doc after a couple of weeks if it isn't resolving.
In the meantime, can anyone enlighten me as to what this might be, and experience of similar?
Thanks!
Written by
Cliff_G
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Oh wow, never realised that resource! Thanks Bob. Puts my mind at rest.
I admit to not being so active in the AF community in recent years, perhaps something to do with my aortic dissection in 2017 and helping create a similar resource, the Patient Guide for AD (see my bio). But I got 100% fixed in my AD surgery and have since been fighting post-op AF, then amiodarone, then AFL, now 1000 ectos/hr! 🤣🤣 Hence I am back here.
Yes we do seem to go round in circles don't we. I produced that resource in response to all the people saying "why did nobody tell me" so asked whaat would you like to know.
I believe it's a hematoma (blood) but it could actually be some scar tissue. In any event that should go away within a month. However, if it starts getting worse or painful, best to let your doctor know about it because very occasionally it will require intervention. But what you describe given your timeline is very normal.
Yes, I had one roughly the same size as yours after an ablation and was convinced that a tube of some sort had been left in my groin. Went to my GP and he said it was normal, didn't believe him so went to A&E who also said normal. Felt quite foolish then. So I can confidently say a haematoma (lump) in the groin after an ablation is quite normal.
You should see the rest of the haematoma in the area! On 2nd thoughts no! Not pretty, up to my hip and down my leg, warfarin, eh?! Starting to fade though. I had a big sac-shaped haematoma on my first ablation top-up and they had to echo it to be sure it was ok
sounds like you’re experiencing some post-procedure changes in your groin area after the ablation. A lump under the skin following a femoral access procedure can be relatively common and might be due to a few things:
1. Hematoma: Sometimes, blood collects under the skin after the procedure, leading to a lump. This usually resolves on its own but can take time.
2. Seroma: This is a buildup of clear fluid that can occur after surgery. Like a hematoma, it often resolves naturally.
3. Scar tissue: As the body heals, scar tissue can form, which might feel like a lump.
4. Lymphatic swelling: Sometimes, the lymphatic system can react to surgery, leading to localized swelling.
I had this as well and it's very painful but usually nothing sinister
Imm going to disagree with those who say don't worry, sorry. I had a chipolata sized lump, my thighs below also had oedema, this was 4 days post ablation. I got it checked by arrhythmia nurse, she listened with a stethoscope, it was noisy. Sent me for ultrasound. Pseudo aneurysm, 2 days of painful outpatient procedures trying to clot it with thrombin injection, both attempts failed. 3rd day sent me for CT scan. There was an arterio venous fistula hiding behind the pseudo aneurysm. Immediately admitted, emergency vascular repair surgery the next day. I had extensive damage like a stab wound in both femoral vein and artery where the entry had been dodged (by a very experienced consultant).
I now have grafts of bovine blood vessels in my leg and a large scar running from pubic bone to just under the hip bone, along my groin crease. I'm still having physio because the scar is tight and restricts hip movement. I also have nerve damage.
The alternative was possibly bleeding to death if the pseudo aneurysm ruptured and lack of oxygen to my leg from the arterio venous fistula .
I'm still in NSR from the ablation and my heart failure caused by the AF has reversed so I celebrate that every day (this was all in March 24)
Thanks for putting that experience out there. Hopefully it's a rare extreme reaction which the vast majority of us will not have, but I'm in favour of being aware of all possibilities and not just being fed the sanitised bits.
I can only pass on what happened to me, a sample size of 1, but best to get checked out, just in case. If I need a repeat ablation the other leg will have to be used as my right now has too much scar tissue.
Such a worry for you. I had not considered something like that, but I clearly already have some sort of propensity for aneurysm. I had an enlarged aorta for 20 years, and eventually dissected. This was thoracic, my subsequent annual scans have been clear, and my AAA scan was clear, so I know my descending and abdominal aorta were clear (this condition can be quite localised). So it's definitely a good idea for me to keep an eye on its progress and get seen if I am concerned. On balance I think mine will not be something like that, femoral vein tissue is very different from thoracic aortic tissue, but I shall do a much more regular and now informed inspection of the area. Thanks!
Glad to hear the NSR is holding, plus the HF reversal is magic!
For me a lump in my groin meant an indirect ingroinal hernia. Surgery done in 3 weeks.
Talked me into having a hysterectomy as said same cut - but didn't say to the other side. Also removed a spotted ovary. I was 38 years with 2 adopted children as husband couldn't father children.
The lump is normal, I was told a large broad bean size is okay but seek help if it’s like an egg. Mine disappeared after about 4-5 weeks, some can take longer I was told.
Hi I had a lump after my ablation last year. It lasted a little while but then disappeared. It is hard to remember much about it now but at the time it was very uncomfortable. Trust yours clears up. Best of luck.
Hi Cliff. I had and ablation 3.5 weeks ago and had a similar experience. After two weeks of the ablation I called the surgeon’s nurse who told me that the lump usually disappear 3 or 4 weeks after the procedure. I am already playing tennis and exercising and so far had no problems and the lump is getting smaller. However, it is wise to be careful if the wound site is still tender, and check it with your doctor after 4 weeks is the lump is not getting smaller. Good luck!! I hope my comments help. Best regards!!!
Thanks. Feeling around this morning, the lump seems to have two parts to it, one not so high, more sausage shape, and the other much firmer, rounder and higher (a bit like the broad bean described above), at one end of the sausage, and much more tender. I shall just have to be patient!
Sometimes they use a bit of “cement”, for lack of a better more technical term, to close up the blood vessel they used to put the catheter in. It dissolves after a time. I’ve had several types of closures, all left a lump for a while. Though it never hurts to check with your doctor, better than worrying!
I had a lump the size of a small marble but very bad bruising across my bits and steadily creeping down my thigh. After a few days, I contacted the arrhythmia nurse about the expanding bruise and was told to go to the hospital and straight to the cardiac ward. When I got there, the guy who had done the ablation happened to be there and wheeled me down himself to get a venous ultrasound done.
That was painful with the pushing on my lump but there was no leak. I was just unlucky with the bruising.
That eventually covered my whole leg, down to my toes and took 6 weeks and a couple of tubes of arnica to get rid of the bruising.
I can thoroughly recommend arnica. Very soothing and draws out the bruising.
I had an ablation and top up in 2002. First was no bother, 2nd I got cocky and didn't stay still long enough and had a huge haematoma. That was ultrasounded and nothing sinister. But neither time I had a lump. This time I also have a spreading bruise but the original site is now fading and it's not spreading any more. Arnica doesn't seem to work for me, maybe the warfarin. Just going to palpate the lump once a day and will get seen if I have concerns.
I had a lump after my ablation which my GP said was a haematoma and would go away. After six months it was still there I went back to see another GP who sent me for a CT scan. This discovered I had a fat filled Spegalian hernia. My GP said it was nothing to do with the ablation but all I know is it certainly wasn't there before the ablation. I now have yet another thing to worry about.
Bit of feedback to everyone, to whom huge thanks for all the responses.Yes, the swelling/lump has been receding fairly well. Now exactly 1 month after the ablation. Not tender any more, reducing in size, and all the bruising virtually gone
I happened to come across a picture of a vascular closure device and after digging a little, found there are several, using different methods. Search for "commercially available vascular closure device" and under Images there is one showing five different types side by side, suture-based, collagen, patch and membrane-based. I think I probably had the one using a mass of collagen injected above the vein, which would explain the extra lumpiness.
Still doing 1000+ PVCs an hour though🤔. Will be asking this week aboit upping the meds dose.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Post ablation concerns
Groin pain occasionally months after Ablation
PACs/Bigeminy after ablation
Small"ish" hard lump under insertion site....normal?
SVT back after ablation? 
