How do surgery staples work

That said, staples require a special tool for removal, while stitches require a simple pair of scissors. Staples also generally require two healthcare professionals — one to align skin using a forceps, and one to apply the staples. On the other hand, it usually only takes one health care professional to close a wound using stitches.

In general, staples offer a few advantages over stitches, including:. On the downside, staples are more expensive than stitches. It can also be somewhat difficult to align the edges of a wound for stapling, and some patients may have adverse psychological responses to the idea of stapling. When to Seek Medical Attention Most lacerations benefit from being closed with staples or stitches, especially if the wound exceeds a half-inch in length.

In addition to reducing the likelihood of infection, treatment can restore appearance, stop bleeding and restore normal function. Ah, allergies—you know the feeling all too well. Or so you think. Because during flu season, you might start questioning whether something more serious—like influenza—could b Read More. Feeling anxious, stressed or sad? Your mental health is equally as important as your physical Read More.

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Linear staplers contain a handle at the opposite end of the jaw. The surgeon manipulates the jaw using this handle to apply staples to the wound. Now, there are two types of linear staplers: regular linear staplers and linear cutters. The latter performs the cutting function, while the former does not. Staplers without the cutting functions may have different surgical uses than those that have cutting functions. Circular staples fire out rows of staples in a staggered pattern.

Thanks to their circular structure, these staplers are often used to connect sections of tube-like organs or other structures inside the body.

Skin staplers are another type of surgical stapler. These are designed to seal wounds in areas where the skin has much more tension, such as over the skull. More: What Are Surgical Staplers? Surgical staplers and staples offer benefits over traditional sutures. Many can be safe and are used often in various procedures, but they are not without dangers.

For example, devices can misfire or fail to fire completely, failing to seal a wound or connect tissue properly through no fault of the medical professional applying the staples. This can lead to severe injury or death. If the patient survives, they can suffer long-lasting or permanent injuries, which can cost them or their families substantial sums of money. Additionally, the medical professional themselves may be at fault for failing to properly seal a wound or connect tissue, whether or not the stapler functioned correctly.

Due to these dangers, many individuals have filed lawsuits against manufacturers and related parties. Staples may be used on the abdomen, legs, arms, scalp, or back; however, they should not be used on the neck, feet, or face. Each year, about 60, Americans die from blood loss, with as many as 1. And while both stapling and most suturing require return visits for removal, staple removal in particular requires usage of a special tool versus a simple set of scissors for sutures.

There are times when staples can become embedded in the skin, making removal difficult; on rare occasions, staples can become completely lodged within the skin, requiring a new incision to remove the buried staple. Wound complications are one of the main sources of illness following surgery, extending a patient's stay in the hospital or even leading to readmission.

To find out which were less likely to lead to infection—stitches or staples— researchers analyzed the results of six trials, comparing both methods following surgeries in over adults. They compared the use of staples to sutures following orthopedic procedures in adults. Their conclusion? The risk of developing a superficial wound infection was over three times greater after staple closure than suture closure, and for hip surgery in particular, staples were four times more likely to lead to infection.