Clips Showing on X-Ray, do they dissolve?

Question

Just had a BA and Lift, and recent X-ray (taken done while had bronchitis) is stating there are surgical CLIPS in upper right thorax(lateral) location. The left implant was removed due to infection(while I'm assuming is the reason there are no clips showing on the left side).Did the surgeon leave the clips in accidentally? Is this a normal procedure done with clips that dissolve? It has been at least 6-9 months since the procedure was done and clips are still showing on the X-ray.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question, clips can be used to control blood vessels.  They are made of metal and are not absorable.  They should not cause you any harm.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

Surgical clips are metal and never dissolve. I guess your surgoen used these clips to stop some bleeding during the surgery. This is very unusual as I have never had to use surgical clips during cosmetic breast surgery but everyone has different techniques.

David Bogue, MD · Answer

The most common reason to use surgical clips is when we want to control bleeding from larger blood vessels. They are a reasonable alternative to using sutures or electrocautery to control bleeding. The clips are permanent and made of non-iron (thus non-magnetic) materials - usually titanium. There is no reason for concern with MRIs or "migration" of the clips. The bottom line is this - Don't worry, they are harmless.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

If the clips can be seen on an xray, they are metal. It is not uncommon to use clips when dealing with small bleeding vessels, and metal ones are the more common ones to use. They are permanent, and harmless. It is obvious what they are and should not interfere with any chest or breast imaging you may need in the future. 

	All the best.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am assuming that you have not had any type of chest wall surgery besides breast augmentation surgery; if that is the case, then the clips used were probably metal and will not dissolve. They were not left then accidentally and generally do not interfere with long-term radiographic breast evaluation studies. Check with your plastic surgeon for most precise information.

	 Best wishes.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

There are metal clips called ligaclips that are commonly used in surgery to stop bleeding. They are more commonly used in vascular and general surgical procedures but it is possible that they were used on your procedure. A simple review of the operative note may answer your questions.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

These clips are commonly used to stop bleeding and don;t cause any problems long-term. Most clips don't dissolve.

Tal T. Roudner, MD, FACS · Answer

you may have clips that were used to stop bleeding from a vein or artery and those are permanent and should be harmless.  never have needed to use clips in a breast augmentation procedure. Your surgeon will know.

	 

	Good luck!

Eric Egozi, MD · Answer

These are most likely hemaclips that are used to control bleeding. Since you had the implant removed in the setting of infection it is possible that there was excessive inflammation and more bleeding than usual that was noted either at the original surgery or removal of the implant. These clips are made of metal (stainless steel or titanium) and do not dissolve. They are commonly used in breast and abdominal surgery and sterile. No need to be concerned about infection.

John Whitt, MD (retired) · Answer

Surgical clips are commonly used for control of larger bleeding points. They are made of metal and do not dissolve. On the other hand, they are inert and create no problems later although theyndo remain visible on X--rays.

Clips Showing on X-Ray, do they dissolve?

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