Doctors generally use sutures to close wounds, including surgical ones, and hold them together for ages. Today, you find advanced wound closure methods, thanks to developments in the medical field. The industry has refined and modernised these devices to meet the needs of the current generation and offer them the best treatment. A skin stapler is used by medical professionals to apply staples to surgical wounds.
It resembles the staplers used for construction or industrial purposes. It is available in disposable or reusable materials like plastic and steel. In either case, it comes with disposable cartridges of surgical staples.
How does it work?
A surgical stapler compresses the tissues and fires a staggered row of staples to connect tissues or seal wounds. Some models also cut away excess tissues to clean up the wound closure area. It is of two types: linear and circular. Linear staplers include a handle at the jaw’s opposite end. The surgeon manipulates it using the handle to apply staples to the wound. Circular staples fire out rows of staples in a staggered manner.
Surgeons use them to connect sections of tube-like organs or other structures inside the body. They are better than traditional sutures and are safe to use.
Types
Medical professionals have different options for the staples used. Circular staples connect a smaller vessel to a larger one, also called an end-to-end anastomosis. They perform this procedure after bowel resection. The metals used to manufacture them include stainless steel, titanium, chromium, iron, and nickel. Laparoscopic staples are longer and thinner than circular ones.
Professionals use it mostly for minimally invasive procedures. Meanwhile, titanium staples are strong and flexible, including nickel. They are usually helpful while performing internal surgeries. Surgeons watch the closed wound for about 30 seconds to ensure the tissue is squeezed together properly and confirm that there is no bleeding.
Caring for surgical staples
Patients need to pay special attention to medical staples in the skin to avoid infection. Follow your doctor’s instructions and avoid removing any dressings. Rinse the site twice to keep it clean every day. Your doctor informs you how and when to dress the wound to prevent infection. Removing surgical staples from the skin is generally not painful. However, you should visit the doctor.
It requires a sterile setting and a specialised mechanical stapler remover or extractor. The device spreads one staple at a time, allowing the surgeon to gently remove it from the skin.
Seeking medical help
A skin stapler is the best invention. Seek emergency medical attention if you notice symptoms like pain, bleeding, swelling, and discolouration around the surgical area. Staples have several advantages over stitches, especially for complex injuries, incisions, or surgeries. Talk to your doctor before getting staples. Let them know if you are allergic or faced complications from surgical staples previously.