Do I have metal clips in my tummy and breast and are they getting closer to the surface of my skin?

Question

9 years ago I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction. Since then I have experienced prickling along my tummy and breast scars when sunbathing which seems to be getting more sensitive.

Benjamin Baker, BMBS MBA FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thanks for your question. Metal ‘Liga’ clips are routinely used during this procedure to prevent bleeding. They tend to be very small and are harmless. They do not migrate. The clips will likely have been used in areas that are not directly related to your scars, and I don’t think that the symptoms that you describe will be attributable to surgical clips. It would be wise to protect your scars when you are sunbathing by keeping them covered or using factor 50 SPF so that they do not become hyperpigmented.

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi GlynisB,
Many surgeons use clips to control blood vessels and prevent bleeding in surgery.
In general, these are used deep in the tissues--usually in or behind the muscle or along the abdominal wall. 
Your body will usually form a layer of scar around the clips and they stay there forever. Its unlikely, but possible that your body would try to move them to the surface, like it would a splinter...but I suppose it's possible.
If there is a specific area you are concerned about, I'd suggest reaching out to your surgeon or another surgeon who performs microvascular breast reconstruction. 
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Pierre Chevray, MD, PhD · Answer

It is common for plastic surgeons who perform DIEP flap breast reconstruction to use small, inert, metal clips during the surgery to ligate (pinch off) blood vessels to prevent and stop bleeding.  These clips are anywhere from roughly one-third the size of a regular metal paper staple to about the mass of a staple.  These clips very rarely are placed close to the skin, and even more rarely migrate to the surface of the skin.  These clips are very unlikely to cause any symptoms, and are too small to be detected by airport metal detectors, and are weakly, if at all, ferro-magnetic, and so are compatible with MRI scanners.  The symptoms you describe are most likely due to the effects of UV light on the belly scars.

Bijoy Methil, MCh, MS, DNB (in memoriam) · Answer

Thanks for your query. Its a little rare for scars to be prickly for that long. Generally scars settle down a year or two after surgery. Is there a change in the size or colour of the scar?  Does it feel itchy? if you feel the issue is getting worse over time, i would suggest you meet your surgeon or any other board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

Do I have metal clips in my tummy and breast and are they getting closer to the surface of my skin?

Answers (4)

Answer: Long term breast reconstruction

Answer: Long term breast reconstruction

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Do I have metal clips in my tummy and breast and are they getting closer to the surface of my skin?

Answers (4)

Answer: Long term breast reconstruction

Answer: Long term breast reconstruction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reconstruction with DIEP Flap

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.