Metal staples have become a popular alternative to traditional nylon sutures to close wounds after orthopedic surgery, due to their ease of use and quicker application. However, a new study suggests that metal staples carry a higher risk of infection than traditional sutures.

Wound complications are one of the main sources of illness after hip and knee surgery. Researchers at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital analyzed the results of 6 trials involving 683 wounds closed with either staples or sutures. They found that in general the risk of developing a superficial wound infection was more than 3 times greater after staple closure than suture closure, and in hip surgeries only, the risk of staples was 4 times greater than sutures.

While the evidence in these trials seems strong in favor of using sutures over metal staples to close wounds after joint surgery, the authors of the study note that the trials being analyzed did not have high quality evidence. They concluded that orthopedic surgeons should reassess their use of staples after hip or knee surgery, but further high-quality trials should be carried out to confirm their initial findings.