What Are Surgical Staples (and Why They’re Not Office Supplies)

Surgical staples are medical-grade metal clips used to close the outer layer of skin after certain
surgeries or injuries. They’re designed specifically for the human bodymeaning they’re shaped,
manufactured, and sterilized for wound closure. They are not the same thing as the staples
that hold together your tax documents. (Please do not test this comparison at home.)

Staples most commonly close straight, clean incision linesthink orthopedic procedures (like knee or hip
surgery), some abdominal surgeries, and scalp wounds. In many cases, they’re used on areas where speed,
consistency, and strength matter.

What are they made of?

Many skin-closure staples are made from stainless steel, while some surgical staples used internally may be
titanium or titanium-based alloys. The exact material depends on the procedure and the device your surgical
team uses.

Why a Surgeon Might Choose Staples Instead of Stitches

There isn’t one “best” way to close skin for every incision. Surgeons choose closure methods based on
location, incision length, skin tension, infection risk, patient factors, and the kind of surgery.
Staples are a common choice when the goal is a strong, fast, reliable closure.

Common advantages of staples

• Speed: Staples can close a long incision quickly, reducing time in the operating room.
• Strength: Staples can provide sturdy support for certain straight incisions.
• Consistency: Staple spacing and placement are fairly uniform when applied properly.
• Easy removal: When it’s time, staples are removed with a specific tool (not a DIY project).

Potential downsides (because nothing is perfect)

• “Railroad track” marks: Some people notice small dot-like scars where staples sat.
• Discomfort: Staples can feel tight or pokey, especially in high-movement areas.
• Skin irritation: Redness or sensitivity can happen, sometimes from friction or swelling.
• Not ideal everywhere: For delicate cosmetic areas, surgeons may prefer sutures or glue.

Research comparing staples vs. sutures in some surgeries often finds staples are faster to place, while
differences in infection outcomes may be small or depend on the surgery type and patient risk factors.
Translation: your surgical team is (hopefully) choosing what’s best for your incision, not what’s
fastest on a stopwatch.

How Surgical Staples Are Placed

Surgical staples are placed using a sterile, handheld device called a skin stapler.
This usually happens in the operating room after the deeper layers have been closed (often with absorbable
sutures). In an emergency setting (like a scalp laceration), staples can also be placed after thorough
cleaning and assessment.

What the placement process typically looks like

1. Edge alignment: The clinician brings the skin edges together so they meet neatly.
2. Stapler positioning: The stapler is placed perpendicular across the incision line.
3. Staple deployment: Squeezing the stapler places a staple that bends into shape and anchors both sides.
4. Repeat at intervals: Staples are placed in a line with consistent spacing along the incision.
5. Dressing applied: A sterile bandage or dressing may be placed to protect the incision.

If you’re awake when staples are placed (more common with some wound repairs than major surgeries),
local anesthesia is typically used to numb the area first. For many surgeries under general anesthesia,
you’ll be blissfully unaware of the stapling phasebecause you’re busy doing the medically approved activity
known as “being asleep.”

How Staples Help You Heal

The main job of staples is mechanical: they hold tissue edges together so your body can seal the wound.
Your healing process has stagesinitial clotting and inflammation, then tissue rebuilding, then remodeling.
Staples support that process by keeping the incision aligned, reducing stress on the skin, and helping prevent
the edges from pulling apart.

Healing “by primary intention”

Most surgical incisions are designed to heal by primary intention, meaning the wound edges are
brought together and held in place (with staples, sutures, or adhesives) so new tissue can bridge the gap.
When everything goes smoothly, this can reduce healing time compared with an open wound.

Why the incision might look weird before it looks better

Early on, it’s normal to see mild swelling, slight redness at the staple points, and a firm ridge along the
incision. Your body is basically doing construction work. It can look like a tiny raised “speed bump” of healing
tissue that gradually softens over the following weeks.

Incision Care With Staples: The Do’s and Don’ts

Post-op instructions can vary a lot depending on your surgery, dressing type, and your surgeon’s preferences,
so your first rule is: follow your care plan. Still, most staple-care advice follows the same
common-sense themes: keep it clean, keep it protected, and don’t mess with it.

Do

• Wash your hands before and after touching the area or changing a dressing.
• Keep the incision protected as directedespecially if clothing rubs it.
• Clean gently if/when you’re told you can: mild soap and water, then pat dry (no aggressive scrubbing).
• Watch daily for changes: redness spreading, increasing swelling, drainage, or opening.
• Move smart: avoid stretching, twisting, or lifting that pulls on the incision.

Don’t

• Don’t remove staples yourself. Even if you’re handy and own pliers.
• Don’t soak the wound in a bath, pool, or hot tub until your clinician says it’s safe.
• Don’t use harsh cleaners (like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol) unless specifically instructed.
• Don’t pick at scabs, dried drainage, or peeling skin around staples.

Can you shower with surgical staples?

Many people can shower relatively soon after surgery (often around the 24–48 hour mark), but “soon” depends on
your procedure and dressing. Some incisions need to stay dry longer, and waterproof dressings have their own rules.
If your care team says showering is okay, let water run over the area, use mild soap around it, and pat dry.

When Are Surgical Staples Removed?

Staple removal timing isn’t randomit’s based on how quickly the skin in that area usually regains enough strength.
Your clinician will also consider your overall healing (for example, diabetes, smoking, medications that affect healing,
or infection risk can change the plan).

Typical timing (varies by location)

As a general rule, staples are often removed somewhere around 7 to 14 days, but certain body areas
may be sooner or later. For example, facial wounds often come out earlier, while high-tension areas (like palms/soles)
may need more time.

Your follow-up appointment is where your clinician checks the incision, confirms it’s holding well, and decides whether
everything can come out at once or should be removed in stages (sometimes every other staple is removed first).

How Surgical Staples Are Removed (Step-by-Step)

Staples are removed using a specialized tool called a staple remover (or staple extractor).
It’s designed to bend the staple in a way that lifts the ends out of the skin with minimal trauma.

What usually happens at the appointment

1. Inspection: The clinician examines the incision for healing, gaps, drainage, or infection signs.
2. Cleaning: The area may be cleaned with an antiseptic to reduce surface bacteria.
3. Removal: The tool slides under each staple and is squeezed, bending the staple so it releases.
4. Staged removal (sometimes): If the incision is borderline, they may remove every other staple first.
5. Support: Steri-Strips (thin adhesive strips) may be applied to support the incision as it continues to strengthen.
6. Aftercare instructions: You’ll get guidance on showering, activity, and what to watch for.

Does staple removal hurt?

Most people describe staple removal as uncomfortable but quickmore like a pinch or tug than real pain.
The scalp can be extra sensitive (because scalps are dramatic like that), while numb areas around some surgical
sites may feel almost nothing. If something feels sharply painful, tell the clinician. That can happen if a staple
is embedded, the skin is swollen, or the incision is irritated.

A good mental trick: don’t stare at the tool like it’s a jump-scare in a horror movie. Look away, breathe slowly,
and remind yourself this is the “moving on to the next healing phase” moment.

After Staples Come Out: What Changes (and What Doesn’t)

Removing staples doesn’t mean your incision is fully “back to normal.” It means the skin has enough initial strength
to stay closed without metal support. Deep tissue layers can take longer to heal, and the scar will continue remodeling
for months.

What you may see

• Tiny holes or dots where staples werethese usually close quickly.
• Steri-Strips supporting the lineoften they’ll fall off on their own after several days.
• Itching as nerves wake up and skin continues repairing (common, annoying, temporary).
• Scar redness that slowly fades over time.

Scar care basics (once cleared by your clinician)

When the incision is fully closed and your clinician gives the green light, gentle moisturizing and sun protection
can help the scar mature nicely. Sun can darken scars, so covering the area or using sunscreen (once appropriate)
is often recommended. Some people use silicone gel/sheetsask your clinician what’s appropriate for your specific surgery.

Warning Signs: When to Call Your Doctor

Some redness and soreness can be normal. But certain symptoms suggest you should call your clinician promptly (or seek urgent care).
If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to ask than to guess.

Call your clinician if you notice:

• Increasing pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the incision
• Red streaks spreading away from the wound
• Pus-like drainage, foul odor, or cloudy drainage
• Fever or chills
• The incision starts to open or a staple pops out early
• Bleeding that soaks a bandage or won’t stop with gentle pressure
• Numbness/tingling that’s new or worsening near the site

Quick FAQ About Surgical Staples

Can I remove surgical staples at home?

In general: no. Staple removal is typically done by a trained clinician using sterile technique and proper tools,
after checking that your incision is ready. Removing them too early can cause the wound to open; removing them incorrectly
can injure skin and invite infection.

Why do some people get staples removed in stages?

If an incision is healing but still looks like it could use extra support, a clinician may remove every other staple first.
That reduces “foreign body” irritation while keeping some mechanical strength in place. The rest may come out a few days later.

Why is there redness around each staple?

Mild localized redness can be normal early oneach staple is a tiny point of skin pressure. What matters is the trend:
redness that spreads, becomes hot, increasingly painful, or starts draining is more concerning.

Do staples mean my surgery was “more serious”?

Not necessarily. Staples are simply one closure option. A small scalp cut in an ER might be closed with a few staples,
while a long incision after a major surgery could be closed with staples or sutures depending on the surgeon’s approach.

Real-World Experiences With Surgical Staples (What People Commonly Report)

Medical instructions are essential, but lived experience matters toobecause it’s one thing to read “you may feel mild
discomfort,” and another thing to discover that your incision has opinions every time you stand up, sit down, laugh,
cough, or exist near denim.

1) The “zipper effect” is real (and oddly reassuring)

Many patients describe the first look as surprisingly neat: staples can create a straight, evenly spaced line that looks
like a tiny zipper. For some people, that visual order feels comfortinglike the incision is being “held” securely.
For others, it’s a brief moment of: “Wow. That is… a lot of metal.” If you’re in the second group, you’re not alone.
It often becomes less startling after a couple of days, especially once swelling goes down and the dressing changes feel routine.

2) Tightness is common, especially when swelling peaks

A very typical timeline is this: the first day or two feels manageable, then swelling increases and the incision starts
to feel tight or “pulled.” Patients often describe it like a firm tug across the skin, especially over joints (knees, hips)
or areas where you bend and twist. This doesn’t automatically mean something is wrongskin is under tension while healing.
What matters is whether tightness is paired with worsening redness, heat, significant drainage, or an opening incision.

3) Itching can show up like an uninvited guest who won’t leave

Itching is one of the most common “nobody warned me it would be this annoying” sensations. It can happen as the wound closes,
as nerves recover, and as skin dries out around the staples or adhesive. People often report that itching comes in waves, and
it can be more intense at night when you’re trying to sleep and your brain has nothing better to do than hyper-focus on your
incision. The key is resisting the urge to scratch or pick. If itching is severe, ask your clinician what’s safesometimes
a dressing change, gentle cleansing (when allowed), or a clinician-approved topical option helps.

4) Staple removal: “I thought it would be worse” is the most common review

Staple removal anxiety is incredibly common. People picture a dramatic, slow-motion scene with ominous music.
The reality is usually fast: a quick pinch, a tug, then it’s out. Many patients say the anticipation is worse than the
sensation. That said, experiences vary. If a staple is slightly embedded, it can sting more. If the area is numb, you might
feel pressure but not pain. If it’s the scalp, you may feel more sharp “pinchy” momentsscalp skin is sensitive and has lots
of nerves. Helpful tips patients often mention: don’t watch, take slow breaths, keep your shoulders relaxed, and speak up if
something feels sharply painful.

5) The emotional side is underrated

People don’t always expect how emotional wound closure can feel. Staples can be a visible reminder that you went through
something majorsurgery, an accident, a scary diagnosis, a big life interruption. Some patients feel proud (“Look at me healing!”),
while others feel vulnerable or squeamish. Both reactions are normal. Many report that the day staples come out feels like a milestone:
not the finish line, but the moment healing becomes less “medical device” and more “my body doing its thing.”

If your experience doesn’t match someone else’s story, that doesn’t mean anything is wrong. Incisions behave differently based on
location, surgery type, skin type, swelling, and overall health. When in doubt, the best move is always the simplest: call your care team,
describe what you’re seeing, and let them tell you whether it’s normal healing or something that needs attention.