Clamps Left in Rib Cage???

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BarbN
BarbN Member Posts: 15
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
Hi, I had surgery May 2006, then chemo then finished radiation on December 28th. I am still in a lot of pain (right breast where lumpectomy was performed) and generally feel like crap. I can sleep 18 hours a day, I have a lot of pain in my right breast and rib cage.

My doctor finally sent me for a chest xray 2 days ago. They found two clamps inside of me? Apparently the clamps are left to cut the blood supply off to the breast during surgery. I don't know, at this point whether they're supposed to be in there or not. I am seeing my oncologist Monday and surgeon Tuesday. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Barb
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  • mibriggs
    mibriggs Member Posts: 79
    edited May 2007
    Barb... never heard about leaving clamps in...
    I had a lumpectomy in sept 05, then a mast in nov 05...and I never had any clamps in me... surely if they were meant to be in there the surgeon should have have discussed that with you pre surgery. I sure hope they haven't left in something that shouldn't be there...
    Maybe some of the other ladies will write in and share their experience with you.
    wish you well
    keep us informed about what happens at your appointment.

    mel
    xox
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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited May 2007
    Barb:

    Sounds like malpractice to me

    Wendy A
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  • BarbN
    BarbN Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2007
    Thanks Mel and Wendy, they sure do hurt!

    Barb
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  • bish
    bish Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2007
    Hi Barb,

    I'm surprised they weren't spotted in preparation for radiation - did you not have a CT scan when they were doing tattoos? I would think the clamps should have shown up then!

    Let us know how this unfolds. It's really quite concerning to any of us here in Ontario.

    Cathy.
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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited May 2007
    I bet they are just tiny clips used in all mastectomiesand other surgery to "clamp" blood vessels. If so, these remain and generally cause no problem.

    Fists up!
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  • DragonladyTina
    DragonladyTina Member Posts: 371
    edited May 2007
    Sounds fishy to me, I have never heard of clamps being left in the body unless of course it is aneursym related and then it is just clips.

    I would definitely want answers to that one.

    Tina
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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited May 2007
    I had a MRM last year and was NEVER told about any clips left in me. But for a while I kept having this pain in one spot where my orignal tumor had been removed. I asked about the pain in that spot and was blown off like it was nothing. Then later I had a PET/CT and it was mentioned in the CT that there are surgical clips noted in the mastectomy sight. (No one told me about this.)

    Later I asked my surgeon and he said yes its normal to leave those in. They mark where the tumor/mass was. Something about it helping also when they do radiation...they can find exactly where your mass was removed. (Don't quote me...but something like that) Either way...I was told it is normal. But yet NO ONE ever told me...I would of never known had I not read one of my scans. Which kind of ticks me off since I went in a few times complaining of PAIN in that exact spot and these clips were NEVER mentioned. So you might want to ask your surgeon if you have clips in there verses clamps?

    Chelee
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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited May 2007
    Yes, I have little clamps in
    and was v. concerned upon finding out

    they did not tell me, but it
    somehow came up, can not recall how

    I had an excellent surgeon
    and trust him.. no problems to date




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  • gonnabeatit
    gonnabeatit Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2007
    Hi, I found out that I had clips left in me when I went for the Radiology mapping. They told me that the surgeon leaves them so that they know exactly where the tumor was.
    That was about 4 years ago. I have like a bruised feeling every so often and always wonder if it is because of that.
    I think it is common.
    Best wishes to you.
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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited May 2007
    gonnabeatit, I had one spot where my orignal tumor was that always hurts a bit and feels bruised. I use to ask my surgeon IF that clip thats in there is causing that slight pain? He always said no. But I found out from scans I've had that mention where the clip is located just happens to be exactly where my tumor was and right were it hurts. So I know thats what it is. So that bruised feeling you have every once in a while I am SURE its the same thing. I don't know why these doctors don't just fess up and tell us what it is...that way we don't worry un-necessarly about something. Like you already said...I think this is very common.

    Chelee
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited May 2007
    My understanding from the radiation techs is that they are put in as markers. They told me they are not really clips in the way we think of them but are so tiny they can't bother you. They also told me that not ALL of the surgeons leave these markers and they were happy that my surgeon had. Makes THEIR lives easier!

    It's not all that common to have a bit of pain after radiation. If it continues, you should check with your doctor.
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  • KraftT1
    KraftT1 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2009

    I had a double mastectomy five years ago.  I have been sick with a cough since late March of 2009.  My GP doctor sent me in for x-rays of my lungs since no meds had worked.  She got the report back and was reading it to me in the office.

    Looks like the lab techs were a little upset that they had not been notified that patient had - had prior breast surgery.  Hum says they found clamps in the x-rays.  She continued on ...I said "Hold Up"!  "Did you just say they (someone) left clamps in me?"  I was so flabbergasted and shocked I just sat there.

    Should I be worried?  Had I not got the cough I may have never known until to late they were left in there.  No one told me this could happen clamps or markers or anything was getting left in me.  That's Bull!  They need to tell women these things.

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited May 2009

    Hi Gals:

    I found out by mistake

    forgot how now .. but a long time ago

    clamps were left in

    and I was angry.. really

    I told them..

    why did you not tell me this would be done?

    forget the exact words now

    Hugs, Sierra

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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited June 2009

    I have about 20 surgical clips. Mine aren't where the tumor was, but are near the arm pit side where they removed the nodes, and those nodes were negative. I first saw mine on a scan, but then I remember the surgeon telling me I had clips right after surgery.  Some of mine bothered me for a long time and caused a bruised area when I had rads. A couple still bother me now and then.

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