To close a surgical wound, a doctor might use sutures (needle stitches) or surgical staples. When the results are similar, the decision might be one of personal preference. When one method is superior to the other with respect to healing and known rate of complications, the surgeon might choose one over the other.
Significance
Surgical stapling is quicker and often more accurate than hand suturing. In some cases, staple lines (the holes made from staples) are less likely to leak blood than suture lines.
Features
Surgical staples might be made of disposable plastic, or reusable stainless steel or titanium. Absorbable staples made from a synthetic material called polyglycolic acid are also available. Sutures, which were once made from catgut, silk or linen, are now synthetic.
Considerations
In some types of surgery such as spine surgery, a combination of staples and sutures is likely to be used to close muscle and skin layers.
Removal
Removal of sutures and surgical staples might cause some discomfort but is not usually painful. Removal time is similar for both, and depends on the size and nature of the closure.
Benefits
In surgical procedures where staples or sutures are appropriate, both are considered safe and equally effective at closing the skin.
