AboutAlan M. Engler, MD, FACS Expertise Dr. Engler has answered over 2700 plastic surgery questions for Allexperts. His expertise is in cosmetic plastic surgery including breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts etc.
Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction."
Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (SEARCH FOR "DR. ENGLER"). His website is www.bodysculpture.com.
Experience Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.
Education/Credentials Dr. Engler graduated from Yale University (undergraduate) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University (medical school). He did his residency training in General Surgery and, after that, Plastic Surgery, at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
Question I had a breast reduction in 2004, everything was great, i healed up pretty fast. Just about a month ago I noticed a small bump on my right breast, didn't really think anything of it until i pushed on it and it caused me pain. So I went to my doctor she had me get an ultrasound and a mamo done. They found a staple that was left inside of me. Ok I understand that staples can be left in there but don't you use staples that have to be removed? this is a stainless steal staple. My plastic surgeon says it cant cause me pain and that its normal to leave staples inside, I personally don't think that you leave a stainless steal staple inside someone who had a breast reduction, i didn't have staples on the outside of me at all just stitches. I am not sure what to do, I am very upset about this because i now have to have it surgically removed. any advice?
Answer from Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com
Hi Sharon,
I'm sorry for this issue.
There are generally two types of staples: (1) those that are used to close the skin, and (2) those that are used internally to clamp blood vessels. The first are generally removed within about a week or so of the surgery while the second, of course, are intended to be left inside. Small amount of metal, such as these staples, are routinely left inside and do not normally cause problems.
I'm not sure where this staple came from if you did not have them to close the skin, but staples are sometimes used to secure drapes, to hold things, etc., and it may have fallen inside your skin. Again, I understand that it is upsetting, but it is a common occurrence (to have one or more staples left inside) and does not normally cause any problems.
That being said, it sounds like it will be necessary to undergo this relatively minor (I know, easy for me to say...) procedure to remove the staple, after which you should be fine. If your result is otherwise good, then the easiest approach is just to accept it as one of the "blips" that can occur with procedures.
But are you sure that it's the staple that is causing the pain? Staples are, in fact, normally inert (ie, they don't cause problems) and if it's in pretty deep, even if it was seen on the tests, it may not be causing the pain. In that sense, I would agree with your PS. So it depends on how far in it is.
That being said, a bump on the breast, regardless of the cause, obviously needs to be investigated. Even at this late date, small swellings can form from retained suture material or some scar tissue, etc.
At any rate, you should have it looked at, it doesn't seem most likely that the staple itself is causing the pain though anything is possible and, if that proves to be the case, then it will be a rare situation for which, I'm sure, everyone involved is genuinely sorry. Hopefully, it can be resolved with the least amount of trouble, annoyance, and discomfort.
