A Complex Surgical Case of a Morel-Lavallee Lesion

A Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is a rare internal denudement injury of skin and hypodermis from deep fascia, usually occurring hours to days after an inciting trauma. A common location is the pelvis or thigh where there is prominent vascularization and may mimic diagnoses such as deep vein thrombosis or contusion. Fluid collections that persist despite conservative management require surgical intervention and frequent and prolonged hospitalizations as in this case of a patient with a persistent MLL. We emphasize early imaging for diagnosis and surgical service involvement, as delay may lead to persistent symptoms and worse health outcomes.