Removal of skin staples in an emergency.

We have highlighted this problem as there are situations where skin staples have to be removed rapidly, for example where bleeding and subsequent respiratory distress develop following neck surgery. A survey of junior hospital staff showed that many doctors had never removed skin staples nor were aware how best to remove them in the event of an emergency. Using skin simulation we compared the time to remove sutures and staples, and found it takes 55% longer to remove skin staples. Where the standard staple remover is not immediately available, an artery forceps, correctly applied, is just as quick.