What is the typical timeframe for removal of surgical staples?

From the Guidelines

Staples are typically removed around 14 days after surgery, as this allows sufficient time for the wound to show evidence of healing, with all sutures/staples out, no significant swelling, erythema, or drainage, and no ongoing nonsurgical site infection 1.

Key Considerations

• The timing of staple removal depends on various factors, including the location and type of procedure performed, as well as the individual patient's healing progress.
• Head and facial staples may be removed sooner, typically within 3-7 days, due to the rich blood supply in these areas, which promotes faster healing.
• In contrast, staples in areas with more tension or slower healing, such as the abdomen, back, or lower extremities, may remain for the full 14 days or occasionally longer.
• The decision to remove staples should be made by a healthcare professional, taking into account the risk of wound separation and the nature of the procedure.

Post-Operative Care

• It is essential to follow the healthcare provider's instructions for post-operative care to minimize the risk of complications, such as wound dehiscence or infection.
• Patients should be aware of the signs of infection, including increasing redness, warmth, drainage, or fever, and contact their healthcare provider immediately if they notice any of these symptoms.
• The removal process is usually quick and causes minimal discomfort, often described as a slight pinching sensation.

Evidence-Based Recommendations

• The 2022 American College of Rheumatology/American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons guideline recommends restarting antirheumatic therapy once the wound shows evidence of healing, typically around 14 days after surgery, with all sutures/staples out, no significant swelling, erythema, or drainage, and no ongoing nonsurgical site infection 1.
• A study published in the World Journal of Emergency Surgery in 2020 suggests that advanced dressings do not significantly reduce surgical site infection rates compared to standard wound dressings, and that dressings can be removed after a minimum of 48 hours unless leakage occurs 1.

From the Research

Wound Closure and Staple Removal

• The provided studies do not directly address the question of how long it takes to have staples removed after surgery.
• However, the studies discuss the use of staples and sutures for wound closure and the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) associated with these methods 2, 3.
• One study found that the use of staples for wound closure in obese patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery resulted in a lower incidence of SSIs compared to the use of absorbable sutures 2.
• Another study compared the use of staples and sutures for wound closure in elective knee and hip arthroplasties and found that stapling may carry a higher risk of SSI, especially in hip arthroplasty 3.

Factors Influencing Staple Removal

• The timing of staple removal is not explicitly discussed in the provided studies.
• However, the studies suggest that the type of wound closure method used (staples or sutures) and the patient's individual characteristics (e.g., obesity) may influence the risk of SSI and potentially the timing of staple removal 2, 3.
• Other factors, such as the type of surgery, wound size, and patient comorbidities, may also influence the timing of staple removal, but these are not discussed in the provided studies.

Limitations and Future Research

• The provided studies have limitations, including small sample sizes and variable study designs, which may affect the generalizability of the findings 2, 3.
• Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing for staple removal and to investigate the factors that influence this decision.