Staple Removal Procedures

Staples and sutures are the most common ways of closing skin after surgery. Skin may also be closed with skin adhesives or by laser soldering. Because the skin forms a protective barrier, any breaks in that barrier allow infectious agents to enter the body. Closing the skin after surgery is essential in maintaining the body's protective barrier. Unlike other methods of closing the skin, a health care professional must remove the staples once the skin has healed.

Significance

• Although staples require the extra step of removal by a doctor or nurse, many doctors use staples because they are quicker to apply in the operating room. Quick closure of the wound means that bacteria and infectious agents are less likely to enter the skin. However, doctor preference determines the type of skin closure used. According to OBG Management, studies show that staples are equal to other types of skin closures except that they may be faster to apply.

Time Frame

• A nurse or doctor will inspect the wound seven to 10 days after surgery. He will examine the skin to determine if any infection is occurring and to be certain that the skin is healed and that the wound will not open after the staples are removed. The actual procedure of removing staples takes about five to seven minutes, depending on the size of the wound, according to the "Textbook of Basic Nursing."

Procedure

• Taking out staples before the skin has healed can result in an open wound that needs to be closed again. To take staples out, the nurse or doctor will use a medical staple remover. The staple remover has two prongs that go under the staple and a lever that presses down on top of the staple. When the staple remover is squeezed, the lever presses down on the center of the staple while the two prongs spread out, causing the staple to straighten and the points of the staple to slide out of the skin. The "Textbook of Basic Nursing" indicates that every other staple should be removed, and once the nurse or doctor determines the skin has healed, the remaining staples are removed.

Negative Potential

• Staples become embedded in the skin if they are not removed soon after the wound heals. Skin can grow over the staples and become a breeding ground for bacteria deposited on the staples prior to skin growth. Quick removal of embedded staples is necessary to prevent an infection and subsequent immune reaction.

Considerations

• To prevent spreading bacteria or infections, the doctor or nurse should use a sterile staple remover or a disposable staple remover. He should also wash his hands and wear clean examination gloves.