Abstract: A marking implement for making a radiopaque marking to facilitate a surgical procedure. A main body is formed of a composition adapted to be smeared onto a substrate when dragged along the substrate. The composition including a radiopaque component that is applied to the substrate in the smear. A method of facilitating a surgical procedure includes subjecting a target surgical site within a patient to x-ray exposure for visualization of the target surgical site, locating a position on the skin of the patient relative to the target surgical site; and marking the position on the skin using a marking implement having a main body formed of a composition adapted to be smeared onto the substrate when dragged along the substrate and which includes a radiopaque component.