Removing Staples

jamonit · Mar 6, 2007

usually, most hospitals or offices have single-use staple remover kits. use some betadine or chloroprep (or whatever your facility suggests) and then, if the staples look dry, not weepy, you can put the staple remover in the middle of the staple and it clamps. then the edges bend up and they can just be pulled out. it's really easy.

sometimes people leave on the steri strips, sometimes they don't have any steri strips, whatever the surgeon prefers. just keep the procedure clean and try not to poke the incision too much with the removers.

mandana · Mar 6, 2007

My favorite tip for removing staples is to remove every other staple, then go back and get the ones you missed. That way, if you find a spot that isn't totally closed, you've got a little security blanket.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2007

In MHO staples are much easier to remove than sutures. The staple remover will bend the staple in the middle which causes the staples to pop out of the skin to the medial and lateral sides. Where as sutures get adhered to the skin by the healing process such as scabs that you need to work loose. If you have a surgeon who likes to make small tight sutures, it can be a challenge getting ahold of them for removal.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2007

Occasionally a staple will snag and not bend and come out "clean". Dont panic,, it is pretty simple to manipulate the staple out, just take your time. The patient will not care that one "bits" a little because they will feel much better when they are out. The incision is much less tight and tender feeling and much more comfortable for the patient when they are out.

Every other staple first, steri stripping at each one after removed.

jill48, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2007

Staple removal is easier than suture removal. Like the other poster said, remove every other, then go back and get the rest. If I may offer one tip: Once you get the hook part under the staple, you press the handles to bend the ends up; so what I'm saying is that you don't actually pull the staple up and out right away; you just the remover steady as you press it. Does that sound confusing to you? I found my patients have less pain/pressure when I do it this way. I hope that wasn't too confusing.:nuke: