On Grey’s Anatomy last week, Izzy said, “…surgeons who use staples over stitches are just lazy. I’m sorry, they just are.” That comment immediately caught my attention because the doctor who was supposed to do my c-section, you know the one I painstakingly sat waiting for hours at a time in a dingy waiting room with chairs with plastic covers for a 9 month span, was going to use staples. Ask Chris, I freaked out when I found that out. He was on a mad resource hunt for information about staples vs. glue (I had glue used to suture my first c-section.) Turns out, glue is rather controversial for use with a c-section. Nice.
Anyway, when I had this emergency c-section, I got the doctor on call. Total luck of the draw. She had been at home rearranging furniture that night. She used dissolvable stitches on me. Other than that, I know nothing about her. I was elated that night to find out that I would get stitches though and am vindicated by Izzy’s comment. Stitches are so much better than staples!
February 23, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Do you have a say on something like that?
If your doctor tells you he/she’s going to use staples (sounds bad to me too), can you do anything about it, or must you find another doctor?
February 23, 2007 at 5:09 pm
No, you really don’t have much of a say on that one. Doctors have their preferred approach. There may be a few who will take your feelings into consideration, but my doctor definitely wouldn’t. Unless you think to ask WAY early (which I did not even think to ask at all… she just mentioned something about staples randomly at 8ish months), you wouldn’t switch that late into it.
Another thing, which didn’t effect me, is the epistomy (sp) for a natural birth. Some doctors have the “cut” approach vs. the “let it tear naturally” approach. That might be something you do want to ask about ahead of time if you care strongly one way over the other.
February 24, 2007 at 1:49 am
I am probably more of an authority on the subject since I have been an oblect of surgery ever six months for three years.
I had staples for both my knee and my hernia. I know the surgeon who did my stomache was not lazy and was an excellent doc. I believe that the reason they used staples for knee replacement is because of the radical swelling that takes place after the surgery because you have to immediately excerise the joint. You do not want the thing to pop open.
I don’t know why you were so freaked out about staples. They were never a problem for me. I have had a problem with stitches. Dr. Oops, who took a growth from the top of my head, missed one stitch during stitch removable. I finally scratched it out about two weeks later.
February 24, 2007 at 2:39 am
Dr. Oops…. I LOLed Out Loud on that one.
February 24, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I knew about epistomy, and I do have a preference. But it was my understanding that you do get to say what you prefer ahead of time in this case, and they try to do it. If something goes wrong during labor, it’s their choice, but I thought this was part of a “plan” you discuss with your doctor. Am I wrong?
February 24, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I honestly don’t know for sure about all doctors. I know my first doctor did as you say… whatever the patient wanted. I never asked my second doctor because it wasn’t an issue. I would ask if it is a concern for you. It’s better to know up front!
Daddy, scratching out your own stitch? Ouch. Mine were dissolvable. Ah, no mess. I haven’t even looked at my wound. Chris can’t believe it, but I refuse. I felt for the tape to take it off!
May 4, 2008 at 10:05 pm
From a clinical perspective I am disappointed that patients rely on fictional medical shows such as Gray’s Anatomy. Sutures (stitches), and staples are used at different times in different areas of the body according to corresponding medical history, complications etc. In the case of staples it is much stronger at alining large incisions, in the case of a Cesarean Section, sutures could have their benefits at giving support, alining the skin tissue correctly, and getting the mom out of the OR anesthetics. Stitches are more commonly used on smaller incisions, almost always internal incisions, and on incisions that have to be more complex, such as plastics and reconstructive. Bottom line is, from a clinical perspective, don’t compromise a physicians plans according to a television show, or if you really really are uneasy about things. You should talk to your physician and not assume that Gray’s Anatomy is correct.
May 4, 2008 at 10:06 pm
apologizes, revision: in the case of a Cesarean Section, staples could have their benefits at giving support, alining the skin tissue correctly, and getting the mom out of the OR anesthetics.
October 17, 2008 at 8:53 am
Your position on sutures is utterly misinformed. What kind of doctor are you, out of curiosity? What is your background and medical field?
October 20, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Oh, I’m no doctor, by MD I mean my location was in Maryland,
apologizes for the lack of clarity.
February 10, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I’m looking into the pros and cons of staples vs. subcutaneous sutures for my upcoming c-section. My OB says she will do either, and when I asked which is better, she also said either, so I’m researching. I like this article I found from a woman who has had both, and found more benefit and comfort to the stitches. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/651409/closure_options_for_cesarean_section.html?cat=5
In my own first cesarean, I had just steri-strips, and the incision/scar is nice and perfect, but I had a horrible allergic reaction to the adhesive, so I’m looking into other alternatives.