Does preoperative scalp shaving result in fewer postoperative wound infections when compared with no scalp shaving? A systematic review

The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing : Journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
Sherly Sebastian

Abstract

Preoperative scalp shaving has been a well-established practice among neurosurgeons based on the belief that hair removal prevents postoperative infections. Apart from aiding in improved visualization of the incision line, ease of closure, and dressing application, there are concerns that the presence of hair at the surgical site may interfere with the surgical procedure. Preoperative scalp shaving is a controversial practice, and many neurosurgeons are moving toward not removing any hair or clipping minimal hair along the incision line rather than shaving the scalp. The following is a systematic review of articles related to preoperative scalp shaving before cranial surgeries and the implications for postoperative wound infections. Eighteen articles were identified as potentially relevant based on the search criteria. These articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria to provide concise background information and an explanation of scalp-shaving practices in neurosurgery leading to the clinical question posed. An evidence table was compiled to organize the study data and identify key points. The review brings strong evidence that preoperative scalp shaving does not confer any benefit against postoperativ...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1977·Acta neurochirurgica·L A QuaderyJ Miles
Apr 1, 1997·Pediatric Neurosurgery·M A Horgan, J H Piatt
Mar 6, 2003·Neurosurgery Clinics of North America·Joseph C Camarata, Peter T H Wang
Dec 7, 2007·Surgical Neurology·Amos Olufemi Adeleye, Kayode G Olowookere
Oct 18, 2008·American Journal of Infection Control·Shearwood McClelland

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Citations

Dec 7, 2013·European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology·R ZhanL Wen
Oct 18, 2015·Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia·Katherine B HaganJuan P Cata
May 30, 2015·The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice·Ingrid M Balsa, William T N Culp
Feb 12, 2015·Surgical Infections·Alvisa PaleseMiran Skrap
Feb 18, 2015·Child's Nervous System : ChNS : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·Nehaw SarmeyRobert J Weil
Aug 10, 2016·Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery·Danya Traboulsi, Habib Kurwa
May 14, 2020·Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control·Eun Jin KimNam Joong Kim
Nov 16, 2021·Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part A, Central European Neurosurgery·Adam StepniewskiGunther Felmerer

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