Specialties Med-Surg
Published Mar 12, 2006
Shell5
200 Posts
Just wondering if anyone knows how long it usually takes before they take out post appendectomy staples. I had someone who was post op and a few of hers came out on her own. Everything looked okay. I was wondering if this was normal 2-3 days post op?
HannasMom
303 Posts
When I had my appendectomy, my physician removed mine after one week. If her incision is not separating at the incision site she should be okay. Does she have any steri strips to reinforce the site? Other wise she should call her MD and get his opinion. Better to not take any chances.
meownsmile, BSN, RN
2,532 Posts
We hardly see staples anymore for appy's. Most are done laproscopically. Even the emergent ones. Occasionally we will get one they have to open,, but its basically a small 2-3 inch incision and they use the glue and steri strips.
If there are staples they usually come out 4-6 days postop.
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Usually a week.
We've been getting quite a few appys lately that are over 6 inches long and are done open.
We have a few docs that still do staples, depends on the pt. 2-3 days post-op, if some fell out, i'd still call the doc to be on the safe side.
Most use a Dexon absorbable suture (4-0 or 5-0) for the skin, then the Mastisol (the sticky stuff) and steristrips over that.