Surgical Site Infections in Ear Surgery: Hair Removal Effect

Abstract

Objective: 1) Compare the rate of surgical site infections in ear surgery between the groups with and without hair removal. 2) Study factors associated with surgical site infections.

Method: A randomized clinical study was conducted in 136 patients who were planned for external or middle ear disease via postauricular approach at Chiang Mai University Hospital from May 2010 to May 2011. Demographic data, surgical site infection within 30 days after operations, and associated factors were recorded.

Results: Fifty-eight cases were men and 78 cases were women. Demographic data between the 2 groups—age, gender, the side of operated ear, types of anesthesia, emergency or elective setting, BMI, history of alcohol drinking or smoking, underlying diseases, operative time, and the length of stay in the hospital—showed no significant difference. A postoperative surgical site infection was developed in 5 patients: 3 in the group with hair removal (5%) and 2 in the group without hair removal (3%) (P = .674, Fisher’s exact test). All infected cases had mastoidectomy surgery.

Conclusion: Surgical site infection rate between the groups with and without hair removal showed no difference. Hair removal in ear surgery via postauricular incision showed no effect on the surgical site infection.