[Preoperative hair removal review]

Area of Science:

• Surgical safety and infection control
• Perioperative care protocols

Background:

• Perioperative hair removal is a common practice before surgical procedures.
• Traditional preoperative hair removal methods, particularly shaving, are widely employed in healthcare settings.
• The association between hair removal techniques and surgical site infection (SSI) rates warrants re-evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on preoperative hair removal.
• To assess the risks, optimal methods, and timing of perioperative hair removal.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for reducing SSI associated with hair removal.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on preoperative hair removal.
• Analysis of data concerning the impact of different hair removal methods on SSI.
• Evaluation of the timing of hair removal in relation to surgical procedures.

Main Results:

• Preoperative shaving with a razor is linked to a significantly higher risk of surgical site infection (SSI).
• When hair removal is deemed necessary, clippers or depilatory creams are preferable to razors.
• Performing hair removal immediately before surgery, rather than in advance, reduces the risk of SSI.

Conclusions:

• Routine preoperative shaving should be reconsidered due to its association with increased SSI.
• Alternative hair removal methods like clipping or depilatory creams should be utilized when necessary.
• Optimizing the timing of hair removal to immediately pre-surgery is crucial for infection prevention.