Are surgical clips metal? Understanding modern materials in surgery

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

For those undergoing surgery, questions about implanted medical devices are common. An estimated 17% of females and 3% of males have a nickel allergy, which can be relevant to surgical implants. The question, are surgical clips metal?, is a valid one, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple "yes" or "no."

Quick Summary

Surgical clips are used to close off blood vessels and other structures inside the body and come in both permanent metallic versions, like titanium, and newer non-metallic polymer types. The choice of material depends on the surgical procedure and patient factors.

Key Points

Composition Varies: Surgical clips can be made from metal alloys (like titanium or stainless steel) or from advanced non-metallic polymers.
Titanium is Common: Biocompatible titanium clips are frequently used and are designed to remain permanently in the body after surgery.
Non-Metallic Options Exist: Newer polymer clips are available and are a safe alternative, offering advantages like improved post-operative imaging and no risk of metal allergy.
Generally MRI-Safe: Most modern metallic clips, especially titanium ones, are non-ferromagnetic and safe for MRI scans, with exceptions like older brain aneurysm clips.
Allergies Are Possible: Rare complications like metal allergies can occur, particularly from nickel found in some older or specific stainless steel clips.
Talk to Your Surgeon: Patients with known metal allergies or future imaging concerns should discuss them with their surgeon prior to the procedure.

The purpose and types of surgical clips

Surgical clips are small devices used during operations to ligate (tie off) blood vessels, ducts, or other tubular structures. They function to stop bleeding and prevent fluid leakage, often providing a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional suturing, especially in minimally invasive procedures like laparoscopic surgery. However, not all clips are the same, and the material they are made from is a key distinction.

Permanent metallic clips

Historically, and still commonly today, surgical clips are made from biocompatible metals or metal alloys. The most widely used metallic clip material is titanium.

Titanium clips: These are the standard for many procedures, including gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). Titanium is highly favored for medical implants because it is:
- Biocompatible: It does not react with body fluids or tissue, minimizing the risk of inflammation or rejection.
- Corrosion-resistant: It will not rust or decay inside the body.
- Strong: Provides a durable, lasting closure.
Stainless steel clips: Certain stainless steel clips are also used, though less commonly than titanium due to potential nickel content. As nickel can cause allergic reactions in a significant portion of the population, these clips are sometimes associated with complications.

Non-metallic polymer clips

In recent years, non-metallic clips made from advanced polymer (plastic) materials have become increasingly popular. These offer several advantages over their metallic counterparts.

Types: Non-metallic clips can be either permanent (non-absorbable) or designed to dissolve over time (absorbable).
Inertness: Polymer clips are inert and do not conduct electricity, making them safe to use near electrocautery devices during surgery.
Improved Imaging: Since they contain no metal, these clips do not cause the artifacts or interference seen on imaging studies like CT scans or MRIs, which can obscure the visualization of nearby tissue.

Are surgical clips MRI safe?

This is one of the most critical questions regarding implanted clips. The concern is that the powerful magnetic field of an MRI could move or heat up a metallic object inside the body. For most modern surgical clips, the answer is reassuring.

Generally Safe: Modern titanium clips are typically non-ferromagnetic, meaning they are not attracted to or affected by magnetic fields. This makes them safe for patients to undergo subsequent MRI scans.
Important Exceptions: Certain older clips, particularly those used for repairing brain aneurysms, may contain ferromagnetic materials and could be dangerous during an MRI. For this reason, healthcare providers always screen patients carefully for implants before a scan.

What about older clips?

If a surgical procedure with older clips was performed, especially if the exact type is unknown, doctors may order an X-ray to confirm the clips' material and position before proceeding with an MRI.

Risks and potential complications

While both metallic and polymer clips are generally safe and well-tolerated, rare complications can occur.

Allergic Reactions: Though titanium is highly biocompatible, rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions to the nickel in some stainless steel clips have been reported, causing symptoms like dermatitis, joint pain, and fatigue.
Clip Migration: In very rare cases, clips can become dislodged and migrate within the body, potentially causing complications like obstruction or inflammation. Studies have reported cases of clip migration years or even decades after an initial surgery, requiring further intervention.
Imaging Artifacts: As mentioned, metallic clips can create visual disturbances on imaging, making it more difficult to accurately diagnose certain conditions.

Comparing metal vs. non-metal surgical clips


Feature	Metallic (Titanium) Clips	Non-Metallic (Polymer) Clips
Material	Titanium or other metal alloys (e.g., stainless steel).	Advanced polymers (e.g., poly-dioxanone, polyglycolic acid).
Appearance	Often visible on X-rays and CT scans.	Radiolucent, meaning they are transparent to X-rays.
Permanence	Non-absorbable; designed to stay in the body permanently.	Available in both non-absorbable and absorbable forms.
MRI Safety	Generally safe for most modern non-ferromagnetic types.	Non-metallic and inherently safe for MRI scans.
Surgical Use	Standard for many procedures, especially where long-term, high-strength occlusion is needed.	Safer near electrocautery and avoids metal allergy risks.
Potential Issues	Rare metal allergy (less likely with titanium), imaging artifacts.	Some polymer clips offer slightly less immediate strength.

The patient's role in understanding surgical clips

Prior to surgery, it is important to have a clear understanding of the materials that will be used. Patients with known metal allergies, particularly to nickel, should inform their surgeon. Some surgeons may perform preliminary metal sensitivity tests. Based on this information, the surgeon can decide on the most appropriate type of clip for your procedure, potentially opting for a non-metallic alternative if necessary.

For further information on potential metal hypersensitivity from surgical devices, refer to studies and resources from reputable medical institutions. For example, the National Institutes of Health provides research on this topic(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9376058/).

Conclusion

To conclude, while many surgical clips are indeed metallic, made from highly biocompatible materials like titanium, non-metallic polymer alternatives are also used and offer distinct advantages. The safety of a clip depends on its material and the context of its use, especially concerning future MRI scans and potential allergies. Open communication with your surgeon about any material sensitivities or imaging needs is the best way to ensure your safety and peace of mind before and after surgery. The advancements in medical technology, including the development of reliable polymer clips, provide surgeons with excellent options to customize treatment for every patient's needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surgical clips are made from either metallic alloys, most commonly titanium, or non-metallic polymer (plastic) materials. The choice depends on the specific surgical procedure and patient factors like metal allergies.

Yes, most modern surgical clips, particularly those made of titanium, are non-ferromagnetic and safe for MRI scans. However, older aneurysm clips are a notable exception and require special clearance. It is always best to inform your doctor of any implants before undergoing an MRI.

For most internal applications, such as ligating blood vessels, surgical clips are intended to be permanent unless a rare complication arises. Some newer absorbable polymer clips will dissolve over time, and skin staples are removed externally.

While rare, an allergic reaction to metal surgical clips is possible. This is most often associated with stainless steel clips containing nickel, a common allergen. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur, sometimes many years after the initial surgery.

Metallic clips offer exceptional strength and durability, while polymer clips are radiolucent (transparent to X-rays), non-conductive (safe with electrocautery), and eliminate the risk of metal allergies. The choice is based on surgical need and patient characteristics.

Clip migration is a rare complication, but it can happen, potentially causing issues like obstruction if the clip moves to another part of the body, such as the bile duct. This can occur years after a procedure.

Depending on the procedure, alternatives to surgical clips include traditional suture ligation, absorbable clips that dissolve over time, or other sealing methods. Non-absorbable polymer clips are also a common alternative to metallic ones.