Surgical Clips After Cholecystectomy: Safety and Long‑Term Fate

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, titanium clips are placed on the cystic duct and artery. They are intended to remain permanently.

Key Points

• Titanium is biocompatible, non‑ferromagnetic (MRI safe), and does not degrade.
• Clips become encapsulated by fibrous tissue within weeks.
• They do not migrate, cause pain, or trigger metal detectors.
• Rare complications: clip slip (bile leak), clip displacement into common bile duct (very rare).

Patients should inform all future healthcare providers about the clips. No routine removal or monitoring is needed unless symptomatic.