Surgeons use surgical staplers to close wounds or incisions. Staples are an alternative to sutures and stitches. And they work more quickly and with less inflammation. There are many types of staples: Plastic - for patients with metal allergies. Polymer - used in plastic surgeries to reduce scarring. Dissolvable - preventing the need for a second surgery to remove them. Titanium - which does not affect MRI scans. Circular - for specific operations, like esophagogastric surgery.There are also several types of surgical staplers: Disposable, reusable, large, and small. Companies that manufacturer surgical staplers and staples include: 3M, B. Braun, Cardica, CareFusion, CONMED, Covidien, a subsidiary of Medtronic, Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson, Frankenman, Meril Life Science, Purple Surgical, Reach Surgical, Smith + Nephew, Stryker, U.S. Surgical, a subsidiary of Medtronic, Welfare Medical, and Zimmer Biomet.