The use of staples to close wounds following orthopedic surgery — especially hip surgery — is associated with a significantly greater risk of wound infection than traditional suturing, according to orthopedic researchers from Norwich, England.
The findings are available at the online home of the British Medical Journal.
Wounds closed with staples were more than three times as likely to develop a superficial wound infection compared to wounds closed with sutures. In a subgroup analysis of patients undergoing hip surgery, the risk of developing a wound infection was found to be four times greater after staple closure than suture closure, according to the release.
Staples not recommended
The researchers found no significant difference between staples and sutures in the development of inflammation, discharge, dehiscence, necrosis and allergic reaction.
Reference:
Smith TO, Sexton D, Mann C, et al. Sutures versus staples for skin closure in orthopaedic surgery: meta-analysis. BMJ. [Published online ahead of print March 16, 2010]
The use of staples to close wounds following orthopedic surgery — especially hip surgery — is associated with a significantly greater risk of wound infection than traditional suturing.
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