How do staples help the body heal after surgery?

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to medical manufacturers and experts, using surgical staples for wound closure can be up to four times faster than traditional suturing. So, how do staples help the body achieve this efficiency while promoting healing? The process involves holding tissue together with superior speed and strength, which is crucial during and after surgical procedures.

Quick Summary

Surgical staples promote fast and secure wound closure for both external incisions and internal organ connections. This method offers advantages like reduced operative time, minimal tissue reaction, and strong wound approximation.

Key Points

Rapid Closure: Surgical staples significantly reduce the time needed to close wounds compared to manual sutures, a critical factor for patient safety during long surgeries.
Enhanced Strength: Staples provide a very strong and consistent closure, making them ideal for high-tension areas like the scalp or torso.
Internal Applications: Beyond skin, staples are used internally to reconnect organs (anastomosis) and seal tissue during resection, which is crucial for complex procedures.
Varied Materials: Staples are made from biocompatible materials like titanium, stainless steel, or absorbable polymers, catering to different needs and patient allergies.
Minimally Invasive Tool: Specialized staples and staplers are essential for modern laparoscopic surgery, allowing surgeons to operate with high precision through small incisions.
Reduced Infection Risk: Faster closure minimizes wound exposure to the environment, while less tissue trauma lowers the risk of inflammation and infection.

Understanding Surgical Staples: A Modern Approach to Healing

Surgical staples, also known as medical staples, are specialized medical devices used by surgeons to close incisions and wounds. Unlike the office supply stapler, these medical-grade implements are designed for precision and biocompatibility, using materials like titanium, stainless steel, or plastic. They are applied with surgical staplers, which compress tissue and deliver a row of staples to securely bind wound edges or connect internal organs. This mechanical process offers significant benefits, particularly in surgeries where speed and consistency are paramount.

The Key Functions of Staples in Medical Procedures

Surgical staples serve multiple critical functions that directly help the body heal and recover effectively. They are not merely an alternative to stitches but an advanced tool for complex surgical demands.

Accelerated Wound Closure

One of the most significant advantages of staples is their speed. A surgeon can close a large incision with staples in a fraction of the time it would take to manually suture it. This speed is vital during emergency surgeries or for procedures involving large incisions. Less time spent in the operating room means less time under anesthesia for the patient, which can reduce the overall surgical risk.

Strong and Consistent Wound Approximation

Surgical staplers deliver a consistent, uniform row of staples, ensuring even pressure is applied across the wound edges. This consistent approximation promotes better healing by holding the tissue securely without causing excessive tension. For large, linear incisions on areas like the scalp or trunk where skin is under higher tension, staples offer a stronger and more reliable closure than sutures.

Reduced Risk of Infection and Inflammation

Because stapling is a faster procedure, it reduces the amount of time the wound is exposed to the air, which can lower the risk of infection. The stapler also minimizes tissue manipulation and trauma compared to the repeated needle passes required for suturing. Additionally, modern surgical staples are made from biocompatible materials, which are less likely to trigger an inflammatory reaction from the body's immune system.

Internal Surgical Applications

Beyond external skin closure, internal staples are used for intricate procedures involving organ resection and anastomosis (connecting two ends of a tubular structure). Examples include gastrointestinal surgery, lung procedures, and bariatric surgery. Circular staplers, for instance, are specifically designed to create leak-proof connections in the digestive tract after a portion has been removed. This precision is critical for preventing leaks and other complications in high-risk areas.

Absorbable and Permanent Options

Staples can be permanent or absorbable, just like sutures. Permanent staples, often made of titanium or stainless steel, are used for strong internal connections, such as joining sections of the bowels or lungs. Absorbable staples, made from biocompatible polymers, are designed to be reabsorbed by the body over time. This is particularly useful in plastic and cosmetic surgery, where they can help minimize scarring.

Common Applications

Skin Closure: Used for closing large skin incisions, particularly on the scalp, arms, and legs.
Internal Organ Resection: Used to remove part of an organ and seal the remaining tissue.
Anastomosis: Reconnecting sections of hollow organs like the intestines, stomach, or lungs.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Specialized laparoscopic staples are longer and thinner to be deployed through small incisions.

Staples vs. Sutures: A Comparative Analysis

Surgeons choose between staples and sutures based on the specific wound or procedure. Here is a quick comparison of the key differences:


Feature	Surgical Staples	Sutures (Stitches)
Application Speed	Significantly faster, especially for long incisions.	Slower, requiring more time to sew tissue together.
Tissue Reaction	Can result in less local inflammatory response due to minimal trauma.	Multiple needle punctures can increase local irritation.
Removal	Non-absorbable types require a specific tool for removal by a professional.	Non-absorbable types are removed with ordinary scissors, but some are absorbable.
Cost	Often more expensive due to the cost of staplers and cartridges.	Generally cheaper, with a long history of proven safety.
Scarring Potential	Scarring results can be comparable, but improper removal or timing can leave marks.	Comparable cosmetic results, though location and technique are key.
Best for...	Large incisions, high-tension areas (scalp, trunk), internal organ connections, and minimally invasive procedures.	Complex or delicate closures (hands, face), and small wounds.

Proper Care and Potential Risks

While surgical staples provide many benefits, proper wound care is essential to prevent complications and ensure optimal healing. Following your doctor's instructions is paramount. This includes keeping the area clean and dry for the initial healing period. You should also be aware of potential complications, such as infection, staple malformation, or improper placement. In March 2019, the FDA issued a warning about adverse events associated with surgical staplers for internal procedures, highlighting the need for careful use and reporting.

How to Care for Stapled Wounds

Keep Dry: For the first 24-48 hours, keep the wound completely dry.
Gentle Washing: After the initial period, you can gently wash the area with mild soap and water, then pat it dry. Avoid scrubbing or soaking the wound, such as in a bath.
Monitor for Infection: Check daily for signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, warmth, excessive drainage, or pus.
Professional Removal: Never attempt to remove staples at home. Always follow your doctor's schedule for removal by a medical professional.

Conclusion

Surgical staples are an invaluable innovation that has modernized wound closure, offering significant advantages in speed, strength, and precision. They play a vital role in helping the body heal by facilitating faster, more secure closure for a wide range of internal and external wounds. Whether made of permanent titanium for organ connections or absorbable polymers for cosmetic surgery, staples are a testament to how advanced medical technology continues to improve patient outcomes and recovery times. Understanding their function, proper care, and alternatives is key to a smooth healing process after surgery.

Surgical Staplers and Staples | U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

The time staples remain in place depends on the location and severity of the wound. For skin staples, this can range from 3-5 days for facial wounds to 10-14 days for staples on the joints, palms, or feet.

No, you should never attempt to remove surgical staples yourself. A healthcare professional must use a specialized staple removal tool in a clinical setting to ensure the process is safe and doesn't cause damage or infection.

Absorbable staples are made from biocompatible polymers like poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer that are designed to dissolve and be absorbed by the body over time. They are often used in internal or cosmetic surgeries to prevent the need for a second procedure for removal.

Neither is inherently 'better' than the other; the choice depends on the specific wound and procedure. Staples are faster and provide very strong closure for long, linear incisions, while sutures may be better for intricate closures or delicate areas like the face.

If a staple falls out prematurely, you should contact your doctor or return to the emergency department immediately. This can lead to the wound reopening and should be addressed by a medical professional.

Your healthcare provider will give specific instructions, but in most cases, you can shower after the first 24-48 hours. It is important to gently wash the area with mild soap and water and pat it dry afterwards. Soaking the wound in a bath should be avoided.

A small amount of redness and swelling where the staple enters the skin is normal. Itching can also occur as the wound heals. However, if these symptoms worsen or are accompanied by pus or a fever, you should seek medical attention as it could be a sign of infection.