Removing Sutures and Staples

Removing Sutures and Staples

Equipment
■ Nonsterile procedure gloves.
■ Suture removal kit or sterile scissors and forceps.
■ Staple remover.
■ Gauze.

Assessment
■ Assess staples to ensure none have rotated or turned instead of lying flat along the incision.

Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Note whether the incision is well approximated after the procedure.
■ Ensure that the patient verbalized understanding of the treatment.
■ Inspect the wound daily.

Key Points
Suture Removal
■ Place the patient in a comfortable position.
■ Remove the soiled dressing, if necessary.
■ Use the forceps to pick up one end of the suture. Slide the small scissorsnaround the suture, and cut near the skin.
■ With the forceps, gently pull the suture in the direction of the knotted side to remove it. Staple Removal
■ Position the staple remover so that the lower jaw is on the bottom.
■ Place both tips of the lower jaw of the staple remover underneath the staple.
■ Lift slightly on the staple, ensuring that it stays perpendicular to the skin.
■ Gently squeeze the handles together and lift the staple straight up.
■ Place the removed staples on a piece of gauze.
■ Dispose of the removed staples in the sharps container.
■ Apply dressing, if needed.

Documentation
■ Document:
■ Appearance and location of the wound, type and amount of exudates, and odor, if present.
■ Patient’s level of pain before and after the procedure.
■ Method of cleansing the wound and surrounding skin, if performed.
■ Removal of staples or sutures.
■ Education provided to the patient.

Removing interrupted sutures. Clipping the suture near the skin while

using forceps to hold the knot

Removing a surgical staple