The presence of surgical clips or staples remaining permanently after an operation is a common and standardized part of modern medical practice. These small, specialized, medical-grade fasteners are intentionally left behind by surgeons to secure tissues or blood vessels. Designed to be inert, they cause no long-term problems, confirming that this practice is considered normal and safe.
Why Surgeons Use Internal Clips
Surgical clips serve distinct functions during an operation, primarily enhancing patient safety and improving surgical precision. The most frequent use is for hemostasis, which is stopping the flow of blood. Clips are rapidly applied to clamp and seal blood vessels, often as a faster alternative to hand-tying sutures, especially in minimally invasive procedures. This mechanical occlusion prevents bleeding during surgery and ensures the vessel remains closed afterward.
Surgeons also use clips for tissue approximation, which involves holding two layers or edges of tissue securely together. This is a common requirement when working with tubular structures, helping to ensure a stable and strong closure.
A third function for these clips is as internal anatomical markers. In oncology procedures, a surgeon may place a tiny metallic clip to mark the exact site where a tumor or suspicious tissue was removed. This marker is invaluable for future medical steps, such as guiding follow-up therapy or imaging, allowing for focused treatment while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
The Biocompatible Materials Used
Permanent surgical clips are chosen specifically for their biocompatibility, meaning they can coexist safely with the body’s internal environment. The most common material is titanium, a medical-grade metal recognized for its inert nature and strength. Some clips are also made from specialized stainless steel, such as 316L, which shares similar properties. These materials are non-corrosive and non-reactive, ensuring they will not rust, degrade, or trigger an inflammatory response.
Titanium, for instance, has been used in various medical implants for decades without breaking down or causing adverse reactions. Over time, the body’s natural healing process forms a layer of stable fibrous tissue around the clip, essentially encapsulating it and locking it into a fixed position.
Addressing Common Patient Concerns
One frequent concern involves the safety of having an MRI scan after receiving surgical clips. The vast majority of modern surgical clips, particularly those made of titanium, are non-ferromagnetic or only weakly ferrous. This means they are not strongly attracted to magnetic fields and are safe for a patient to undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
It is important to notify the MRI technician about the location and type of any implanted medical device. While the clips are safe, the metal can sometimes cause a small distortion in the image quality near the site, requiring staff to adjust the imaging protocol for the best diagnostic results.
Another common practical question is whether the clips will trigger airport security or other metal detectors. Due to their extremely small size and the nature of the materials used, most surgical clips do not contain enough metal mass to activate standard security metal detectors. While it is rare, a highly sensitive detector or an accumulation of many clips could potentially cause an alarm.
Concerns about the clips moving or causing localized discomfort are very rare, as they are designed to stay fixed and are quickly surrounded by stable tissue. Cases of clip migration into other body structures are documented but are considered an uncommon complication. If a patient experiences long-term pain or unusual symptoms, medical imaging can locate the clips, but for most people, they remain safely in place for life without issue.