Why do surgeons use staples to close wounds? Does it reduce scarring?

Question

It looks so brutal. Which is why I'm assuming there must be a very good reason for doing it.

Answer 1

Staples are quicker, require less skill to put in. They do not lead to less scarring, you will find no facial surgeon using them, they are not delicate enough!

Just for info:- suturing isn't performed with a 'large hooked needle' that 'tears through the skin' the suture needle size varies according to the thickness of the suture material. Areas where lack of scarring is important would require a small needle and very fine suture material.

The suture needle is a very precisely engineered thing which has a specially shaped tip to cut through the skin in a certain way, again to minimise scarring.

Answer 2

I don't know why they do. I'm assuming because it's just faster.
But, I can tell you this.......it certainly does NOT reduce scarring.
I broke my back several years ago, and that's how they "sewed " me back up.
When it came time to have them removed, it was terribly painful!
I don't remember how many I got ( A LOT ), but if i were to get a mirror right now, I could tell you exactly how many. The scars are still VERY obvious !
It IS brutal ! But I was unconscious when they did it, and so of course felt nothing. Until I woke up !!!!!! Even on morphine, I could feel every one of them !
So, I would say that it's just a convenience for the surgeons, and definitely not for us !
I've had other stitches on my body, but they used the kind that come out by themselves, and you can just barely see where the stitches were.

Answer 3

I honestly think it's because it's quicker and easier for the surgeons. And with most surgeons being men - how many blokes do we know who actually LIKE sewing?!!

I had a spinal op several years ago and had one long running stitch which dissolved on its own and left a lovely neat scar. I had to have a redo op last year and this time they stapled it. I had about 40 or so I think - and I can honestly say I have never felt pain like it when they removed them - I bit a hole in the hospital's pillow case!

Answer 4

Yes, it reduces scarring. I had my knee stapled and when the wound was fresh I thought I was going to end with a huge scar, but it's actually a rather small scar now. But, I'll tell you something, when they pull the staples out, it seriously hurts.

Answer 5

Hi using staples does reduce the scarring also its quicker and more affective.There also easier to remove and dont get to messy not like nylon stitches as this can inbed in the skin and be very painful to remove.Staples are not used for all wounds thou,all depends how deep the wound it and where the wound is too.

Answer 6

Have you ever seen someone get sutures? That is brutal, they use a large hooked needle and tear through the skin every time a new stich is put in, they are not as clean and chances of getting infected or torn out is much much higher. Staples are so much more cleaner and easyer to keep clean, less chance of infection and scarring, they tend to stay in the skin better than sutures which have a nasty hibit of cutting through the skin they are suppose to hold together. Allergic reaction from staples is hugly low compared to sutures. I have had both and staples are the best, they don't hurt going in or out and it is faster than stiching and the wound tends to heal better. Does that answer your question?

Answer 7

I think its bad to cover hidden wounds as they will open again some time in the future, with wisdom and maturity all wounds will heal and a little forgiveness goes a long way.

Answer 8

Some doctors prefer staples - takes less time to staple than to suture!@

Answer 9

well they help seal up more than what stitches can. they mend the skin back to gether where it has been torn. where stitches can bust open you got a better chance with staples. in they do not leave scars.

Answer 10

Stitching is more time consuming.
With staples you can't blame the seamstress