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surgery mishap?
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Jul 22, 2005 - 6:25 pm
My son had a total thyroidectomy a year ago. Recently he had an x-ray that revealed three areas of metal in his neck. We contacted the surgeon and after four days he responded stating that he has titanium clamps and no harm will come to him. I am concerned as his operating report mentions nothing of this, nor were we informed during any dr. visit post surgery. I am concerned because he now needs a MRI. I have been told that it's possible that the clamps can tear a blood vessel causing internal bleeding. I contacted my family physician and he won't comment. Please help me with your own stories. Thank You....Teresa |
Joined: Mar 2005
Re: surgery mishap?
I have not heard of any fellow thyroid cancer patients who have clamps left in them... that is not normal, to my understanding. And yes, an MRI is NOT a good idea if we have any kind of metal implants - plus, it will only show the area as a 'starburst' - the metal 'reflects' the picture, so the quality of the MRI would also be of questionable value.
Maybe think about posting this same question at Thyca - there are over 3000 thyroid cancer patients there, including some doctors who post sometimes... here is a link - it is free to join the group:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/
I hope you find some answers, but I can't imagine why anyone would leave metal in place like that - it doesn't make much sense to me.
Joined: Jul 2005
Re: surgery mishap?
I just had the same surgery in May and they didn't use clamps. Do you know why they used the clamps? I never heard of that. I would get another opinion.
Joined: Oct 2002
Re: surgery mishap?
Are you sure the surgeon did not say titanium CLIPS? I had a total thyroidectomy 4 years ago & was told before surgery that the surgeon would be using metal clips for sutures. These are micro-clips and I have about 40-50 of them. When I have my follow-up ultra sound scans they show up similar to scar tissure, but my endocrinologist is up to speed on the type of metal clips they used in surgery, so it is no problem in reading the scan. I do not know what implications there might be for an MRI, but I wanted to encourage you to get clarification of they are "clips" or "clamps". I hope that is helpful!
Joined: Oct 2005
Re: surgery mishap?
I'm really interested in the outcome of your sons metal clamps/clips that were left in following surgery.I had a total thyroidectomy a few years ago and when I had an upper spine xray recently the radiologist told me they were there, much to my surprise but I didn't follow through to find out why they are there.Since having the surgery I also have had a MRI done and I remember all the questions about whiether or not you have metal clips and I replied no as I was unaware of them at that stage, Scary! Please tell me how you got on.
Joined: Feb 2019
I have had 2 surgeries to
I have had 2 surgeries to remove both sides of my thyroid. They did use surgical clips and I was not informed I found out after a MRI. apparently they are safe and common. The metal is mri compatible. I'm driving to another mri as I write this
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