Dissolvable surgical staples represent a modern approach to wound closure, offering a patient-friendly alternative to traditional metal staples and sutures that require a follow-up removal appointment. This technology employs materials that the body can safely absorb as the surgical site heals, eliminating a common source of post-operative discomfort and inconvenience. While the general concept is similar to dissolvable stitches, these devices are designed to provide the mechanical strength and speed of stapling during a procedure. They leave behind no foreign material or the “railroad track” scarring often associated with metal staples.
Visual Characteristics and Material Composition
The appearance of a dissolvable staple is markedly different from the metal staples that protrude from the skin. These bioabsorbable devices are typically small, clear, or translucent, and are placed entirely beneath the skin’s surface, within the dermal layer, making them generally invisible to the naked eye once the incision is closed. This design benefit is intended to improve the final cosmetic outcome.
The physical shape of a subcuticular absorbable staple is often a rigid, U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped fastener, sometimes with small cleats on the ends to secure the tissue layers. A common example of a single staple measures approximately 5 millimeters long, 3.5 millimeters wide, and less than a millimeter thick.
These devices are composed of synthetic polymer materials, most commonly a copolymer of polylactide and polyglycolide, which are the same materials used in many absorbable sutures. Polydioxanone (PDO) is another synthetic polymer used in this class of absorbable wound closure technology. These polymers are biologically inert and chosen for their predictable absorption profile and minimal inflammatory response.
The Process of Dissolution
Dissolvable staples and sutures are absorbed through a natural biological process called hydrolysis, which is the breakdown of the polymer material by water molecules in the body’s tissues. This is not a melting process, but rather a gradual chemical reaction that slowly breaks the long polymer chains into smaller, water-soluble molecules. These smaller components, such as lactic and glycolic acid, are then naturally metabolized and eliminated by the body. The absorption process is engineered to occur over a specific time frame, ensuring the wound remains supported until sufficient healing has taken place.
The timeline for a dissolvable staple to completely vanish varies depending on the specific polymer used, the size of the staple, and the location of the closure. The initial absorption begins with a gradual loss of tensile strength, which is the material’s ability to hold the wound edges together. For instance, a polylactide-polyglycolide staple may lose most of its strength within three weeks, but the physical mass may take several months to be fully absorbed. Long-lasting materials, such as those made from polydioxanone, may take up to 180 days or more to fully dissolve, providing extended support for deep tissue layers.
Practical Application and Wound Care
Dissolvable staples are primarily used in procedures where a rapid, strong, and cosmetically favorable closure is desired. They are frequently utilized in large, linear incisions such as those from C-sections, joint replacements, and various cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures. Because they are placed under the skin, they eliminate the need for sharp metal points to penetrate the epidermis, which can lead to a more uniform closure that helps minimize scarring.
Patients with these internal staples should follow standard wound care instructions, which include keeping the incision clean and dry, and gently washing the area with mild soap and water after the initial healing period. It is important to monitor the site daily for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or drainage.
Sometimes, as the body breaks down the polymer, a small portion of the staple material may become visible at the incision line, an event sometimes referred to as “spitting a stitch.” While this may be a normal part of the process, it should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider, who may choose to trim the exposed piece.