For a c-section, are stitches or staples better?

jlwolfe73 · February 2011

I have never had a c-section before and most of the doctors I am dealing with in the hospital will let you choose. I did have a doctor ask why I would want stitches. She said that the staples are very straight forward, come out without pain, and have less of an infection rate. She also told me that if the stitches were to become infected, they would have to remove all the stitches, clean it up, and start over. I am just really nervous about having staples...

jojobean1977 · February 2011

Staples are much faster and easier for the doctor. I have had both and prefer to get absorbable sutures (stitches).

My stapled incision ended up with a cellulitis infection and was very painful and healed poorly. After I am all done having children I am getting a tummy tuck to help it look better. I saw a diferent doctor than did my surgery since it was an emergency c/section and was told by him that it probably wouldn't have been as bad if I did have sutures.

buggles · February 2011

Staples!

Lucky you to have a choice too.

I was freaked out beyond belief when I found out I was to have staples with my last surgery. I was afraid of being able to feel them in there but I mean the whole thought of, well, metal points embedded in your body?

Well anyway, so I had no choice in the matter and had them. I was even afraid to see what they looked like but you know what, you don't even feel them. I do believe they are better than stitches as they are easier to deal with. At my removal appointment, the doc just pulled on them and they slid on out... no prob! I was preparing myself for lots of pain.... but nothin'.

So I vote for the staples.

CMM05 · February 2011

Yeah, I'm surprised you have a choice too!

I have had 2 c-sections and my OB's use staples. I never had a problem.

And, some of them even fell out on their own before I left the hospital. They were removed both times the day we left the hospital. It doesn't hurt.....they have these clippers that just clip them and then they slowly pull them out (promise....you barely feel it!). Then, they cover the incision with steri strips and those either start to fall off in the following week or so, or your OB will remove them at your follow-up appointment (usually 2 weeks following c-section).

As stated, I have never had stitches, but I have heard that staples cause less infections.

jlwolfe73 · February 2011

Thank you all so much for the input! The doctor that advised me of staples said it has less risk of infection and they would be removed before leaving the hospital. She said the scars are about the same (which I tend to scar badly so doesn't matter) and that the little strips can actually come off within 48 hours. I will definitely think harder about this one Smile

bmp84 · February 2011

I vote for staples.

I had a laparoscopic surgery a couple years ago and got an infection from the stitches. I had staples for my c/s and didn't mind them at all.

jesss1022 · February 2011

I had staples, I didn't feel them when my doctor took them out! I didn't have any problems with my incision or infections!

EllaAdam · February 2011

I've had two c-sections, and I've had staples with internal stitches for both. No infections or problems with healing. I didn't feel it when they took them out and as long as I didn't push myself too hard and took it easy those first two weeks, I didn't have to go in for more steri-strips!

MegZRN · February 2011

I'm an L&D nurse and yes staples are EASIER, but stitches heal better and the scar is less noticable.

Think about it...you get a huge hole in a sweater and you want to get it back together. Quick fix, staple it! But there are still tiny holes in btwn the staples and it doesn't look appealing. If you stitch it, its all brought together nice and neat. Same with your skin...it will heal better if all of the wound is approximated (meaning its all side by side and lined up). Staples are kinda the doctor's lazy way out. JMO

buggles · February 2011

MegZRN:
I'm an L&D nurse and yes staples are EASIER, but stitches heal better and the scar is less noticable.
Think about it...you get a huge hole in a sweater and you want to get it back together. Quick fix, staple it! But there are still tiny holes in btwn the staples and it doesn't look appealing. If you stitch it, its all brought together nice and neat. Same with your skin...it will heal better if all of the wound is approximated (meaning its all side by side and lined up). Staples are kinda the doctor's lazy way out. JMO

Meg,

That certainly makes sense. I suppose when one has an option, choose stitches if one wants to maximize cosmesis. "Staples are kinda the doctor's lazy way out." ::laughs::

mrsschrager · February 2011

I had staples with my first c section and some sort of glue with my second c section.. I had no problems with either of them... the staples did not hurt when they took them out in the hospital before I left.

MegZRN · February 2011

mrsschrager:
I had staples with my first c section and some sort of glue with my second c section.. I had no problems with either of them... the staples did not hurt when they took them out in the hospital before I left.

Its called Dermabond and its AMAZING. Love the stuff. But you have to be sure not to wash it directly. Meaning soap and water can run over it, but you don't want to actually scrub/wash it.

MegZRN · February 2011

buggles:
MegZRN:
I'm an L&D nurse and yes staples are EASIER, but stitches heal better and the scar is less noticable.
Think about it...you get a huge hole in a sweater and you want to get it back together. Quick fix, staple it! But there are still tiny holes in btwn the staples and it doesn't look appealing. If you stitch it, its all brought together nice and neat. Same with your skin...it will heal better if all of the wound is approximated (meaning its all side by side and lined up). Staples are kinda the doctor's lazy way out. JMO
Meg,
That certainly makes sense. I suppose when one has an option, choose stitches if one wants to maximize cosmesis. "Staples are kinda the doctor's lazy way out." ::laughs::

Stick out tongue Its true!

BananaBlitz · February 2011

I had staples that dissolved. No issues and scar looks totally "normal"

lookinfor2 · February 2011

Stitches, my hospital (a large hospital in Chicago) does not even offer staples. They stitch in layers, the absolute best way!

Honeygirl70 · February 2011

I was a surgical tech. In labor and delivery for four years. Sutures are better especially if your doctor takes his time. Sutures don't leave marks and you skin goes back to what it was at first and it is much neater than staples. Don't use staples ladies. If you wear bikini then go with the sutures you will be glad you did.

Honeygirl70 · February 2011

Ilive in chicago too. which Hospital you talking about?

Honeygirl70 · February 2011

I live in Chicago too. What hospital you talking about?

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