Surgical Clips

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1

Hi. I had a CT scan recently as had been having stomach problems, which showed an inflamed liver (probably due to the Tamoxifen, although that’s another story)!!!

 

However, I was concerned to see that the scan had picked up 3 surgical clips in the breast in which I’d had the WLE in August 2011. Is this usual, does anyone know?

 

Many thanks

2

Hi

 

My understanding is yes, they do stay in. From what I’ve read, the surgeon puts them in to mark the perimeter of the excision in case they have to go back in and remove more tissue.

 

Mary

3

Hello Summer, Mary is correct about the clips. I only discovered I had some when I read the report sent to me after my first yearly mammogram after my WLE. I asked my BCN about it and was told they were put in as markers during my op. Apparently it’s fairly routine. Oh, and they do not set off the scanners at the airport! Best wishes Pat x

4

Hi Summer 60

 

I had further surgery to clear an infection after WLI my wound was packed by nurse at GP and after about a month my clip fell out. The nurse said she’d never seen that before but very next day it happened to another patient she was treating.

 

I couldn’t get on the fast forward trial as oncologist said clip was used to direct radiation to exact site. They also use them during further mammograms to identify cancer site.

 

I didnt know there was more than one but I knew there was at least one on there.

 

take care

 

Keeks

5

Hi ladies, this is very interesting and I am now confused lol, 

I was told by radiologist that clip was being put in my breast attached to tumour and to guide surgeon. prior to lumpectomy the same radiologist inserted wire into breast and said this was getting attached to clip to guide surgeon area to remove. ( i had chemo prior to surgery and tumour had shrunk a graet deal). I assumed when tumour was removed the wire and clip would be too.

 

Wyn x

6

Many thanks for your replies. I didn’t have chemo or a wire inserted either, so I guess the clips have multi uses. I’ve had two mammograms since the WLE and no-one has mentioned it, so I was just startled to see it on the CT scan report. It might explain why my breast is still a bit sore nearly 3 years later though!!

7

Many thanks for your replies. I didn’t have chemo or a wire put in either, so I guess the clips are multi-functional. I’ve had two mammograms since my WLE and nobody mentioned them, so I guess I was startled to see them mentioned on the CT scan report. Glad too to hear that they won’t set off the airport scanners! :smileywink: