Why would a surgeon leave surgical clips in my upper groin after varicose vein stripping?

I had varicose vein surgery 14 years ago to strip veins from my right leg. I have had severe pain in my groin and lower abdomen for years. Just found out the surgeon left three surgical clips in my groin. They are to be removed. Why would he do this?

Answers from doctors (9)


Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Published on Dec 20, 2012

Many surgeons use metal clips to seal off blood vessels instead of ligating them with suture material. As a result, your surgeon used them during the stripping procedure. Usually they never have to be removed and don't create any problems. Your current surgeon must feel that they have created a problem for you. I wonder if you have a hernia ?

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Answered by Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Many surgeons use metal clips to seal off blood vessels instead of ligating them with suture material. As a result, your surgeon used them during the stripping procedure. Usually they never have to be removed and don't create any problems. Your current surgeon must feel that they have created a problem for you. I wonder if you have a hernia ?

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Oct 08, 2012

It is normal to leave "clips" in the vein that was stripped. That should not be causing your pain, however, our bodies are all different. When they strip a vein, they put the clip in like a "staple" then cut the vein at the
top and may or may not remove sections of the remaining vein(s).

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

It is normal to leave "clips" in the vein that was stripped. That should not be causing your pain, however, our bodies are all different. When they strip a vein, they put the clip in like a "staple" then cut the vein at the
top and may or may not remove sections of the remaining vein(s).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Oct 08, 2012

The clips are tiny and are a common way to tie off bleeding vessels. Most patients are never aware of them. It may be the cause of your pain, but there is a real possibility you may still have the pain after they are removed.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

The clips are tiny and are a common way to tie off bleeding vessels. Most patients are never aware of them. It may be the cause of your pain, but there is a real possibility you may still have the pain after they are removed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Oct 08, 2012

Usually surgical clips are used in surgeries such as organ removal, in order to keep blood vessels closed, but I could assume that there might have been some vessels in your pelvis that needed to be closed, and probably 14 years ago that was the best was to do it. Vein stripping is not done anymore.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Usually surgical clips are used in surgeries such as organ removal, in order to keep blood vessels closed, but I could assume that there might have been some vessels in your pelvis that needed to be closed, and probably 14 years ago that was the best was to do it. Vein stripping is not done anymore.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Oct 08, 2012

Clips are regularly used to ligate vessels with surgical procedures and are always left in place. They don't cause pain. Scarring or nerve entrapment can, though.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Clips are regularly used to ligate vessels with surgical procedures and are always left in place. They don't cause pain. Scarring or nerve entrapment can, though.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Oct 08, 2012

Normally in any stripping procedure, the doc will need to tie off the ends of the vein being treated. In your case, the doc probably used surgical clips instead of self-absorbing sutures.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Normally in any stripping procedure, the doc will need to tie off the ends of the vein being treated. In your case, the doc probably used surgical clips instead of self-absorbing sutures.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Oct 08, 2012

You could try asking them. Back in the day, when surgical stripping was thought to be the procedure of choice,
half a dozen vein branches needed to be divided and tied or clipped. Clips are done for convenience, or for branches with limited exposure and difficult to tie off with suture. One could argue that clipping allowed for less surgical dissection, which we now know is related to new vessel formation. If I had to guess, I'd go with the time saving explanation.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

You could try asking them. Back in the day, when surgical stripping was thought to be the procedure of choice,
half a dozen vein branches needed to be divided and tied or clipped. Clips are done for convenience, or for branches with limited exposure and difficult to tie off with suture. One could argue that clipping allowed for less surgical dissection, which we now know is related to new vessel formation. If I had to guess, I'd go with the time saving explanation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Oct 08, 2012

Surgical clips are routinely used in varicose vein stripping surgery and in many types of surgery. The clips eliminate the need to tie off every vein and also reduce the operating time of the procedure. I have been using them for years. It would be most unusual that these clips are causing your groin discomfort.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Surgical clips are routinely used in varicose vein stripping surgery and in many types of surgery. The clips eliminate the need to tie off every vein and also reduce the operating time of the procedure. I have been using them for years. It would be most unusual that these clips are causing your groin discomfort.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Oct 08, 2012

Surgical clips on blood vessels are performed routinely.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Surgical clips on blood vessels are performed routinely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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