Title: Pre-Operative Shaving Versus Trimming and Their Relation to Post Operative Surgical Site Infection (SSI), A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dipak M Varia, Samir Kacheriwala
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i8.97
Background: Before conducting any surgery pre-operative hair removal is needed. Different methods that are currently in usage are: shaving with razor, electric trimming, and depilatory cream. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of two methods of preoperative hair removal trimming and shaving to postoperative SSI. Aim and Objectives: To determine the impact of two techniques: pre-operative shaving versus trimming of hair, on the incidence of post-operative SSI. Methods: Data was collected from the department of surgery at SSGH in the period from December 2014 to January 2016. The patients were randomized into two groups. Wounds were inspected on 3rd, 5th , 30th post-op day for SSI, and classified in categories according to SSI classification given by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Results: Total 365 patients were studied. Trimming group: 184, Shaving group: 181. Total 26 patients reported SSI, out of which 17 patients with razor shaving developed SSI, while 9 patients with trimming developed SSI. Method of hair removal and SSI was statistically insignificant (p = 0.14). Out of 270 patients who underwent hair removal a day before surgery; 24 patients developed SSI (8.88%) and 95 patients who underwent hair removal just before surgery; 2 patients developed SSI (2.10%). Significant association was found between hair removal day before surgery and SSI (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Pre-operative hair removal with razor shaving increases the rate of SSI as compared to trimming and SSI increases further more if hair removal done day before surgery. Keywords: Shaving, trimming, postoperative SSI.
Abstract
