Absorbable skin graft staples: a clinical trial using Graftac-X

Skin stapling devices are a quick, effective method for securing skin grafts in burns patients. Removal of staples can be painful, often requiring a general anaesthetic. This problem has led to the recent development of absorbable staples which extrude with time. A prospective controlled clinical trial was performed on 20 burns patients comparing absorbable skin tacks with stainless steel staples. An area of at least 50 cm2 was grafted in each patient, half of which was secured with absorbable tacks and half with stainless steel staples. Each patient therefore acted as his/her own control. The presence of infection, haematoma and graft take using a grided cellophane sheet were assessed at one week. Infection and excess scarring at tack sites were assessed at one month. A statistically significant difference was not found between either group. In our hands absorbable skin staples have proven to be a reliable method of securing skin grafts.