apparently my bowel anastomsis is held together with titanium staples

I still have staples in - almost 4 years later. Sometimes they show up on the scans but they are teeny tiny.

Hi!
My anastomsis was hand sewn with sutures. These are not staples seen on my xrays, they are surgicsl clips in the right side abdomen.
The surgeon says he did not leave them there. How could they possibly get there?

UrlikeCT: I could be wrong but sounds like you and your doctor are confusing each other?
I kind of feel they are what markarina is talking about, (titanium staples or as you say tiny clips)
This metal will not turn against the body and just works extremely well. (titanium is totally different than regular suture staples)

Now I did have a mishap and total mistake. Seems I had staples everywhere. All of the rectum and several with all the laproscopy incisions, and I found out late the surgeon had used them inside my vaginal area very deep? But everything was suppose to have been removed and 8 weeks later at a follow up exam my surgeon was a little infuriated.
He has worried a lot about the vaginal and bladder area because of the radiation treatments. Seems there were 12 regular staples inside that area? (the poor office nurse that had nothing to do with them had to remove all 12. (this was sure not the pinch I had felt with all the other staples)
That pain was awful and I even had bleeding for about 2 weeks and had to see the surgeon every other day, to make sure there was no infection developing.
I think though what you have is suppose to be there and your doctor is not aware of what you are asking him. ??
How long has it been since you discovered them?
The way you are describing them?? It kind of makes me wonder?
I do know mistakes happen. Are they causing you pain?

I did just give you 'MY' example of how staples (large ones) can be inside you and you not know it.
I was so angered that day! I think getting them out was worse than labour. (keep us up-dated, please)
graci

Hi!
How awful, everything you went through.
Staples were used outside for the 4 incisions I had. were the ascending colon was connected to the small intestine (cecum and valve were removed) the surgeon used sutures (hand sewn) not staples. The surgical clips were seen on the xrays that were done 3 weeks after the surgery (had ileus) the radiologist report says surgical clips right abdomen, not how many, just plural. Now it's been 2months since the surgery and I still have pain in that area plus left side. I don't know what's going on.

Since they are on the inside, it sounds to me like they were meant to be left there. Now the problem is your doctor.
He needs to be shown those x-rays (in frount of you) and explain.
I suppose you could have had 2 surgeons working on you and the other one put them in for his own reason?
I certainly believe they are there and 'YOU' need to know why.
I would be wanting to know too if I knew the tiny clips were there and my doctor said he did not put them there?
I hate it you are having the pain, still wonder if its the clips or not causing the pain?
Now you really have me wondering and concerned, so keep us posted.
graci

the surgeon is the person who ordered the xrays and I got a copy of the result. He may be denying that he put them in there because I told him before the surgery that I have Lupus and any metal (even a little dental implant) is not recommended because it causes a constant immune reaction and making Lupus worse, also I have a nickel allergy and most of those titanium clips have some nickel in it.
He told me before the surgery that he will not use any metal and he will handsew the new connection.
Now the Lupus is so bad that I have to be on higher doses of cortisteroids again.
I am seeing a new gastro doctor the 17th I will see what he says. My PC ordered an ultrasoud, CT scan was done 3 weeks again, showed all kinds of abnormalities.
Thank you guys for listening!
Many hugs
Christine

Christiane I am interested and this sounds more and more like a mistake? I am so sorry to you! But how he can just deny putting them in there when they are showing up on x-rays and a ct-scan?
(some good fairy did not pop into the surgery room and do this) :)
Yes with your Lupus and auto-immune. you certainly don't need extra steroids.
It it turns out to be a mistake by the surgeon are you going to have them removed? With your Lupus I really think you should. (mo only) Hopefully they will only need a small opening to get to them and get them out of there.
Yes there are mistakes that happen and more than one would think.
I think my surgeon should have made a personal note about the staples he left in me for 8 weeks. Nurses cannot read their minds.
Good luck to you.
graci

Hi Graci!
Thank you for writing. What happened with your staples? Were they removed later?
C

My surgeon was giving me a vaginal exam and realized they had been left in all that time.
They were removed right then in the office.
If it was to do over again I would demand the nurse stop! I don't really know but I should have been more angered.
I wish I had said just leave them alone, they will either come out on their own or remain forever. I just know I never want to go through something like that again.
graci