The effects of magnetic resonance imaging on surgical staples: an experimental analysis.
BACKGROUND
Surgical staples are commonplace in repairing surgical incisions. Staples allow for expeditious closure and removal compared with suture materials. However, there are clinical concerns when obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with staples present. This study examined two issues related to MRI scanning in the presence of surgical staples: skin surface temperature change and staple displacement.


METHODS
Thirty pig feet had 3-cm surgical incisions repaired with five surgical staples. Once placed, each skin staple position was marked for later referencing. A surface temperature laser device recorded prescan skin surface temperature. A 35-minute MRI scan was performed with a 1.5-Tesla magnet and standard knee coil for each pig foot. Immediately afterward, the skin surface temperature and displacement measurements were recorded. The paired t test was used to analyze temperature change from prescan to postscan.


RESULTS
The prescan mean temperature was 16.45°C (standard deviation: 0.70°C), and the range was 14.60°C to 18.20°C. After scanning, the mean temperature was 16.02°C (standard deviation: 0.63°C), and the range was 15.00°C to 17.60°C. The decrease of 0.43°C in skin surface temperature was statistically significant (p=0.001). No change in staple position was measurable or evident by visual inspection for any of the pig feet.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found no increase in skin surface temperature or displacement of staple position after a standard extremity MRI scan. Based on our findings, MRI scanning in the presence of stainless steel surgical staples seems safe.
Gayton
J Christopher
JC
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Miami Valley Hospital, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45409, USA. athenscg@yahoo.com
Sensiba
Paul
P
Imbrogno
Brian F
BF
Venkatarayappa
Indresh
I
Tsatalis
James
J
Prayson
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*