surgical clips in my neck after total thyroidectomy

I had a thyroidectomy back in 2009. I clear my throat all the time since it always fells like something is there. People tell me it's probably just a habit. Since the operation my endocrinologist, not the surgeon, has had me get sonograms on my throat brcause he thought he saw something in one of them, but never figured out what. I recently had a stroke ans has several swallow studies during the in patiet rehab. On every X-ray the mentioned they saw many clips in my throat which I can only assume was from the thyroidectomy and probably what the other doctor thought he saw on the sonogram. I wouldn't be surprised if this is what I'm felling in my throat which causes me the urge to constantly clear my throat. I'd love to do more research on getting them removed, but don't want to foot the bill myself if insuance won't cover it or if it's too risky.

I've had an MRI of head and neck after thyroid surgery with staples left inside...no problem.

Can you please, please, please let me know the surgeon that removed the clips. I had a thyroidectomy and every since I have swelling on my right side, my shoulder swells, I have pain when swallowing and eye pain. Doctors just kind of ignore me when I complain about the problem, but it's getting worse. Any info you have would help!!!

I just Found out staples Was left in me also, after going to the ER because I was feeling Like something was in my neck and hurted . The xray showed. I had bout 30 in there. I'm very angry because he didn't. care to tell me they were there.

Hi I just had my second surgery for thyroid cancer in July well so I thought it was cancer 5 yrs ago I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer had a TT after that had a rai treatment dr said I was cancer free well 8 months later went for a scan showed positive for cancer on my neck again had a dose rai done well 8 months later again same thing but this time they gave me the strongest dose of rai they said that was it my body couldn't handle anymore rai still came out positive for cancer in my neck well in July I went to a different city for a second opinion all three test done showed I had a mass in my neck so they decided on re opening me up to removed the mass .. And to their surprise they found over 50 staples in my neck I was never told that they used staples this sergeon said that that staples can cusse a false positive I wanted to cry could that of been what was showing up on my whole body scans all this time and I was getting treated for cancer when it was staples I too am getting a lawyer

Hi if your still there , what was happening to you physical ? I'm dealing with this also and just starting to put details together . Please help

Hi ok i wasnt clear what was hurting you before you had the staples out ? How did you feel ?

thank you for all the great information. I just happened to have xrays at the chiroprator today and found out I have about 25 staples from a left lobe ectomy of my thyroid. I had no Idea!!  I had surgery in 2012 and have been having on going issues with swollowing, my voice has never been the same as before surgery and have on and off swelling ect... definately need to check into if this is the cause of all my issue

Are you doing the surgery in NOrth America, I too just found I had over 25 clips in my neck, been about 8 yrs since surgery, are they safe? why not just take the time and use disolving thread

I have staples left in my neck, following throidectomy. It is the first time - including during/after left thyroidectomy- that staples were left in (they were placed in sub-dermis, from what i understand..., by guessing.) My family doc and endocrinologyst didn't believe me, that they were in there, until i had to have xrays (because I also had a collapsed lung for a year!)
Anyway, these staples cause a lot of irritation and swelling in my neck. It feels like someone is taking needles and scraping under my skin (in the affected area.) I think I need the staples removed and wonder who I would see for this. I've been through over 40 head and neck (mostly jaw) surgeries and nobody has ever left staples (not clips and not sutures) under my skin! I really don't know why the surgeon would do so and would like to know what anyone else thinks, particularly if you've been through (partial or full) thyroidectomy.
Thanks for your ideas..
anne

I had a Total Thyroidectomy in Year 2000.  I had ultrasound, nuclear medicine and fine needle aspirations (F.N.A.) from 1984 at the age of 14.  I found an Endocrine surgeon that was prepared to take my thyroid out.  He told me I had a 1 in 1000 chance of laryngeal paralysis if one pole was taken out and a 1 in 500 chance if both poles were taken out.  The next day, the surgeon came to see me, removed my external stitches and the belovac drains and discharged me from hospital.  He told me I had a multi nodular goitre and 5 areas of cystic degenerationand asked me to see him in his rooms in 1 months time.  I went back in the month and he told me to sit down I had cancer (I was 30).  Ever since I've had this "scratching" down my trachea and at times I cannot get out of bed or turn my head.  This leaves me unable to drive the car as I cannot turn my head left or right at a "T" junction to see what cars are coming.  I cannot check my blindspot.  I had an x.ray.  I have 24 surgical clips that I had NO CLUE were there AND a safety pin.  What they were using the safety pin for is beyond my comprehension.  The safety pin moves and pinches on a nerve in my neck and I cannot move my head.  I also have difficulty swallowing.  The Endocrinologist that performed my surgery is no longer practicing.  I'm being referred to a head and neck surgeon.

Okay; whoa! A safety pin? I'd wonder what that was for, too. I've worked for many doctors, including surgeons, and I have been through dozens of surgeries. First of all, I've never had anything (except sutures and metal joints), "left behind", but I have never heard of a surgeon using a safety-pin in surgery, for anything.
Glad you're getting it removed. Question, though; will they be remving the staples, too? (You do have staples in there?) What kind of surgeon even thinks to use a safety pin, particularly when there are so many MEDICAL choices abailable? Very odd. I don't know how dangerous it would be, in general. But, if it's pinching a nerve, that's horrible! Good luck with it.

Call me dumb but i feel everything should be recorded by the surgeon, it is totally mind boggling and frightening to find out long after your surgery you have staples left behind. I think it should be discussed post op to quell any later hysteria

Sorry. I moved some time ago and have not accessed this website since. The wonderful surgeon who removed my ligaclips (titanium staples) was called Mr John Lynn. He is probably the top UK Endocrine Surgeon. He works at the BUPA Cromwell Hospital, London, UK. I am feeling fine now, fully recovered and enjoying life. The surgeon who originally put the clips in my neck in 2010 decided to settle out of court. It turns out that I probably didn't need the thyroidectomy at all and he had charged my health insurers for possibly doing a more complex procedure than he actually had done. Naughty! If he had lost in court (which he would have done) he would probably have had his licence to practice in the UK taken away from him, and quite right too. Wish you better, and all the other members of this forum, wherever you live.

Too right. I told my surgeon that I had a phobia. I asked him if he used clips or staples. He said he used dissolvable thread. Instead he used ligaclips. In preparing for the court case, I found out that a surgeon can use the apparatus for sealing blood vessels with ligaclips on his own. If a surgeon uses thread he requires the aid of an assistant to tie what is known as a 'surgeon's knot'. Assistants cost money....say no more! In the UK it is up to the surgeon to decide how much information about the actual surgical procedure is given to the patient. If you ever get the chance to read your operation notes as I did, it would amaze you how brief they are. If, as a teacher, I had kept such sparse records I would have lost my job!