Staple Question

[happyslvr 2]

Hello Everbody!

Some of you know this but most of you probably do not.

I am going in for spinal fusion on May 18th. I had my "latest and greatest" MRI on towards the end of December last maybe the beginning of January.

I was sleeved by Almanza on Jan 28th.

One of the things being said about Betancourt and the Jerrusalem clinic is that there are substandard staples used (not titanium) and that if an MRI were performed the staples would pull loose. - There was also a gentleman that posted he was in the process of working with Betancourt to import staples at a greater savings for the clinic. I believe he was Canadian and that his surgery was in February though I could be wrong on that date.

(I have since tried to find the thread and I am not having any luck)

Anyway............

I became very interested in the integrity of the staples used as I am pretty positive I will be needing another MRI in the not to distant future.

I sent an email to my medical coordinator asking for verification and serial numbers. I received a response from her (that she received from the clinic )stating that the staples used were in fact titanium mfg by Johnson and Johnson but that there was no serial number.

Does this sound right?

I know that there are a lot of nurses on this board please let me know your thoughts and opinions on this?

I just dont think this sounds right.

[Swiftflow 6]

just my opinion here so take it with a grain of salt..

I really don't think they would risk using non surgical grade staples--my belief is that their cost savings comes more from doing so many procedures each day. I won't restart the debate on that topic here as to what risks that adds--My point is that I think you will be OK on the staples.

Edited May 10, 2010 by Swiftflow

[happyslvr 2]

I would hope so but still want (and with all that is being said feel that I actually need it) verification.

and yes I completley agree with you and dont want to start the whole debate going again.

[Tiffykins 672]

They should be able to provide with the type, size, lot and/or model numbers and specifics that are listed on the box just like what is seen with sutures.

Remember, the infections that happened last year were to be caused by a bad batch of sutures. For them to narrow it down, and say that was the cause, and to ensure they did not use any from that "batch" there has to be more description other than just a manufacturer name.

These numbers and specifics are used when large recalls are put out for certain surgical products. Same thing goes for baby car seats, playpens, formula, even vehicle recalls are based on some sort of indentifiable number or model reference.

Just my 2 cents.

[happyslvr 2]

I am with you Tiff!

I am going to demand more info from them.

[HEARTONMYSLEEVE 1]

Happyslvr,

I am a Rad Tech not an MR tech but I work very closely with MRI daily. There are no current surgical clips that are NOT MR safe. Honestly, whoever posted that did not know what they were talking about. As long as they have been in your body for over six-eight weeks, the longer an implant is in your body the more tissue grows around and secures the object. The issue for MR and metal is not always just the pulling of the magnet but also that the magnet has the potential to heat up the metal in your body which can potentially burn you. However, this is not usually the case with surgical clips. Pacemakers are never safe for MRI. Other implants that may or may not be safe can include; aneurysm clips, neuro or spinal stimulator, cochlear implants, vena cava umbrellas, sharpnel, stents, bullets and others. Some of these can even be MR safe depending on a few factors, how long they have been in your body, what kind (model or serial number), what part of the body your imaging, and the strength of the magnet. There are several varying strengths of magnets out there. They are measured in Teslas, 1-3T, and high or low field. I know this is a lot of information but I wanted you to know that you should absolutely be safe for an MRI as far as the surgical staples are concerned. If you are still nervous which I would completely understand as I am just a stranger on an internet board and I wouldn't trust me either you could always call the last place you had an MRI done and ask the speak with the MR tech. Also, I promise you that if you went for an MR they would not put you on that machine unless they were sure that everything in your body was safe. I am sure you could imagine the liability if we techs did not do our due diligence. I hope this helps. Good luck.

[sam30204 0]

Here in the US you do not get your serial numbers and all that for basic supplies. You could ask for it in preop but that is not even something we record int he medical record. The only thing we record and provide to the patient like this would be implantable's like breast implants, knees, heart valves ect. I seriously doubt this will be info you can get. I mean we record the type of staples, the size, same for sutures but not serial numbers on the actual boxes

[happyslvr 2]

Happyslvr,

I am a Rad Tech not an MR tech but I work very closely with MRI daily. There are no current surgical clips that are NOT MR safe. Honestly, whoever posted that did not know what they were talking about. As long as they have been in your body for over six-eight weeks, the longer an implant is in your body the more tissue grows around and secures the object. The issue for MR and metal is not always just the pulling of the magnet but also that the magnet has the potential to heat up the metal in your body which can potentially burn you. However, this is not usually the case with surgical clips. Pacemakers are never safe for MRI. Other implants that may or may not be safe can include; aneurysm clips, neuro or spinal stimulator, cochlear implants, vena cava umbrellas, sharpnel, stents, bullets and others. Some of these can even be MR safe depending on a few factors, how long they have been in your body, what kind (model or serial number), what part of the body your imaging, and the strength of the magnet. There are several varying strengths of magnets out there. They are measured in Teslas, 1-3T, and high or low field. I know this is a lot of information but I wanted you to know that you should absolutely be safe for an MRI as far as the surgical staples are concerned. If you are still nervous which I would completely understand as I am just a stranger on an internet board and I wouldn't trust me either you could always call the last place you had an MRI done and ask the speak with the MR tech. Also, I promise you that if you went for an MR they would not put you on that machine unless they were sure that everything in your body was safe. I am sure you could imagine the liability if we techs did not do our due diligence. I hope this helps. Good luck.

I can not tell you happy reading this has made me!!!!

Thank you so much and yes what you have said totally makes sense.

I still think that the staples need to be authenticated and traceable but at least I dont feel like I am going to die if I get an MRI.

Thank you for making my day!!!

:lol0::wink0::thumbup::lol0:

[educationrulz 18]

I can not tell you happy reading this has made me!!!!

Thank you so much and yes what you have said totally makes sense.

I still think that the staples need to be authenticated and traceable but at least I dont feel like I am going to die if I get an MRI.

Thank you for making my day!!!

:lol0::wink0::thumbup::lol0:

Good luck with your upcoming surgery happyslvr. This is quite alot to go through in one year but it sounds like you're keeping a positive outlook about things. I'm sure that having lost weight will make it a better experience in terms of healing. Let us know how your MRI and surgery go.

[HEARTONMYSLEEVE 1]

Happyslvr,

I am glad I could help. Also, good luck with your surgery. As someone who has had almost her whole spine fused, about T2 to L2, this kind of surgery is hard and the recovery can be very rough. This is no simple laproscopic procedure. Are they going to put in any hardware or just the fusion? I had two corrective surgeries for scoliosis at 14 and 15. I spent two entire summers recovering from back surgeries. I can totally commiserate with you. Please keep us updated on how you are doing after surgery. I will be thinking about you on May 18.

[lmmore 0]

I hear they buy their staples at Office Depot..........ONLY KIDDING.

[happyslvr 2]

i hear they buy their staples at office depot..........only kidding.

lol!

U r bad!

[happyslvr 2]

Good luck with your upcoming surgery happyslvr. This is quite alot to go through in one year but it sounds like you're keeping a positive outlook about things. I'm sure that having lost weight will make it a better experience in terms of healing. Let us know how your MRI and surgery go.

Thank you Mary!!!

I agree it is quite a lot to go through too!!!

I have been putting it off for so long now that I am at the point where I just want to get it over with already. LOL! My new years resolution was to get healthy this year. I have already lost 42 lbs and I agree that the weight loss will make it much easier healing.

:001_smile::001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

[happyslvr 2]

Happyslvr,

I am glad I could help. Also, good luck with your surgery. As someone who has had almost her whole spine fused, about T2 to L2, this kind of surgery is hard and the recovery can be very rough. This is no simple laproscopic procedure. Are they going to put in any hardware or just the fusion? I had two corrective surgeries for scoliosis at 14 and 15. I spent two entire summers recovering from back surgeries. I can totally commiserate with you. Please keep us updated on how you are doing after surgery. I will be thinking about you on May 18.

You are so sweet!

Thank you so much!!

I am being fused at C5&6 and C6&7.

In terms of hardware.... Just the screws/hardware and a plate covering the area for protection

I am using a piece of my hip bone for the fusing. I had the option of the bone bank but I just feel better with my own bone.

I have only scheduled a couple of weeks off from work so I hope it goes smoothly.

I am a good healer so :001_smile:

Thanks so much for your postings you really have helped me today!

Big Big HUG!!!

Edited May 11, 2010 by happyslvr
typos

[lmmore 0]

Best of luck........my surgeon turned my down for back fusion last week.......he wants me to lose most of my weight first. He told me that with my system canablizing itself (his words), he thinks it will be safer to wait. He told me October, so that's just one month longer to wait than you I guess. But, as you know, when you are in this much pain, you want it over with already.