removing skin staples

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Our immediate care clinic has begun using staples to close scalp lacerations. I have problems removing them. They do not "unbend" when

I squeeze the remover handle. Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong?

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Staples should be ok to remove, but you have to go right to the centre and push quite hard on the removers to get them out, they should bend in at the centre then and just tug out.

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Specializes in MDS coordinator, hospice, ortho/ neuro.

The staple remover device we use is like a pair of scissors, except that one side has one 'tong' and the other side has 2 tongs. You make sure that both the tongs on the 2 tong side are under the staple. The staple gets bent when the one tong comes down and passes between the 2 tongs.

http://www.spaceref.com/iss/medical/8641.suture.staple.removal.pdf

page 2

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Sometimes there is dried blood or other stuff sticking the staples to the skin or hair. With permission you can use some sterile scrub to genlty soften the sticky stuff. Then take the two legged end and slip it completely under the staple's center. Press down with the one leg handle, The staple should rise outward and up so you can lift it away with the remover. I usually remove every other so it wont dehisce. If it;s ok then the rest with steri strips (if okw. doc)

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/healthcare/professional/node_NMCLK68L21be/root_GST1T4S9TCgv

node

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