Internal Clip or Staples - Any info?

I had a TAH/BSO in November and was wondering if anyone has any information on the use of internal clips in this procedure. Earlier today I had an X-ray. I took a quick peek at the films and was shocked to see that I have 12 of them scattered throughout my abdomen. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance.

Blessings,
Lynn

I am not sure. I had sub cutaneous sitches which I think is similar to what your had. Mine disolved as I healed. I did not have staples.

The scare looks better than if you had staples. Maybe that is why the did that.

Some doctors use clips to tie off viens and arteries from the uterus, ovaries and so on. I am sure that is what you are refering to. Nothing to worry about

Hi Lynn Every surgeon has his or her preferred methods of securing things internally. There's some evidence that surgical clips or staples, and also cauterization, are less prone to adhesion formation than traditional sutures, so that may be why your DR used them. The surgeon who did my hyst used sutures, but when I had colon surgery a year later, a combination of cauterization and titanium staples were used.

To find out exactly what was done and what materials and equipment were used in your surgery, you can get a copy of your surgery report either from your DR's office or from the castle (the castle usually charges a copying fee). It can be very interesting reading!
s,
-Linda

Hi, Lynn!
I also have the surgical clips throughout my abdomen (you are talking about inside, not where you can see them, right?), as a result of my radical hysterectomy. I had no idea they were there, until I had an xray at the urologist's office. My husband and I were standing there thinking "what the heck are those?" They looked like little lines all throughout my abdomen. Scared me!! My urologist laughed and said they were the surgical clamps that my gyn/onc. used during my surgery. Seems to me it was something to do with the lymph node dissection, but I am not sure, it has been almost 2 yrs. He said it was normal and that they would stay there forever! I think they are stainless steel? I was afraid I would set off the alarm at the airport, everytime I go through a medal detector there!! It does'nt!! Anyway, I have them, too! Hope that helps!

Rhonda
Radical hsyterectomy, June 2002, cervical cancer, 1b

Whew! Thanks... for a second there I thought my doctor left something inside. LOL

Thanks for all your replies.

Blessings,
Lynn

Hi (((Lynn))) ,
I had an RSO several weeks after my TAH. During some X-rays & CT Scans a few weeks later. I had requested copies of all my surgery, test films & Op reports....upon reviewing them, I saw where it was stated that there were 2 surgical clips in the area of where my Right Ovary used to reside! No one had ever mentioned this to me so I was concerned over what exactly they were & how they got there!!
I called a friend of my Moms who happens to be a Nurse, she had me read the reports then explained what they were! Like the others she told me they were used to clamp off an area as opposed to stitching or suturing

I've personally been awaiting setting off a Metal detector

I agree with ((SurferBabe)) about requesting copies of these reports! Interesting reading indeed...mine have come in handy several times as have saved some time when seeing new Drs and having my medical records readily available....

((((hugs))))