Site Map	Remove Skin Sutures or Wound Closure Staples

Equipment

• Dressing pack containing:
  • Gallipots
  • Cotton Wool
  • Disposable forceps
  • Dressing towel
  • Rubbish bag
  • Tape
• Antiseptic solution
• Plastic apron
• Culture swab for microbiology (optional)
• Sterile field paper drape
• Suture cutter or staple remover

Procedure

• Check that the sutures should be removed & are non-absorbable
• Introduce yourself and check the patient's identity
• Discuss procedure with the patient
• Screen the patient from onlookers
• Wash hands (soap and water) & put the apron on
• Place the equipment required (unopened) on the bottom shelf of a clean dressing trolley
• Place the sterile field drape on the top shelf of the trolley and open it
• Remove the outher packageing of the dressing pack and slide the contents of the pack onto the sterile field
• Attach the disposal bag to the side of the trolley
• Arrange the pack's contents using one of the pairs of forcepts
  • Discard forceps
• Fill the gallipots with saline or antiseptic
• Put on the sterile gloves
• If there is a dressing, remove it
• Inspect the wound for signs of infection or inflammation
• Take a swab if necessary
• Using forcepts, cotton wool and antiseptic / saline clean the wound working from the inside to the outside of the wound
• Remove Sutures
  • Interrupted
    • Pick up one knot and cut the suture flush with the skin on one side
    • Gentle upward traction on the suture will free it from the wound
  • Continuous
    • Cut one end flush with the skin
    • Gentle traction on the other end will pull the suture through the wound
• Remove Staples using staple remover
• Apply new dressing and secure with micropore tape
• Fold up the sterile field drape and discard contents
• Spray trolley with disinfectant