From the Research
No, stapling patient skin to secure surgical drapes and towels is not a recommended practice. Instead, healthcare providers should use adhesive drapes, skin-friendly adhesives, towel clips that grasp only the drapes (not the skin), or other specialized fixation devices designed for this purpose. Stapling skin causes unnecessary trauma, pain, and potential complications including skin tears, infection risk, scarring, and patient discomfort upon removal. The practice violates the principle of minimizing harm to patients and can lead to poor wound healing, especially in patients with compromised skin integrity such as the elderly or those with certain medical conditions.
Modern surgical practice emphasizes using atraumatic methods for drape fixation that maintain sterile field integrity without causing patient injury. Alternative methods provide equally effective drape security while respecting patient safety and comfort. According to a study published in 2016 1, it is uncertain whether wound dressings reduce the risk of surgical site infection, but using atraumatic methods for drape fixation can help prevent complications. Another study from 2011 2 found that staples were associated with fewer wound infections compared to sutures, but this does not apply to stapling skin for drape fixation.
The use of skin staples for drape fixation has been described in older studies, such as one from 1984 3 and another from 1986 4, but these studies do not provide sufficient evidence to support this practice as a recommended standard of care. In contrast, more recent studies emphasize the importance of preventing surgical site infections and promoting wound healing through atraumatic methods, such as modifying suture techniques and providing appropriate wound care 5.
Key considerations for drape fixation include:
- Using adhesive drapes or skin-friendly adhesives
- Employing towel clips that grasp only the drapes, not the skin
- Utilizing specialized fixation devices designed for this purpose
- Avoiding unnecessary trauma, pain, and potential complications
- Prioritizing patient safety and comfort while maintaining sterile field integrity.