FIXED HEAD SKIN STAPLERS - FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE

Skin staplers have become more affordable and are being used more freq uently in veterinary medicine. However, little information (aside from operating instructions) about these devices is available to veterinar ians. This article describes a trial of the performance of six of the most commonly used brands of fixed-head skin staplers (AutoSuture(R) R oyal(R), D&G(R) Appose(R) ULC, Precise(TM) Vista, Proximate(TM) III, R eflex(R) TL, and Weck(R) VisiStar(R)). These staplers were used to clo se incisions in thick and thin skin on fresh canine cadavers. The arti cle provides detailed information about many aspects of the performanc e of these devices. The choice among these devices will depend largely on the surgeon's preferences and needs. For example, the Weck(R) Visi Stat(R)-staples are made of heavier-gauge wire and pierce skin more de eply and may therefore be useful when durable staples in thick skin ar e required. Also, the Weck(R) VisiStat(R) stapler could be reused afte r autoclaving, although all of the staplers functioned well after gas sterilization.