HAIR CLIPPING VERSUS SHAVING: INCIDENCE OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION- A PROSPECTIVE CASE CONTROL STUDY IN TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is one of the most common post-operative complications and is a nightmare for every surgeon. Objectives: To determine the impact of pre-operative shaving versus peri-operative clipping of hair on the incidence of SSIs Study Design: Prospective Case Control trial. Study Duration: This study was done over a period of one year in Department of surgery, VMMC and SJH including 200 patients undergoing open hernia surgery (Lichenstein Mesh Hernioplasty). Material and Methods: 200 ASA class I patients undergoing open hernia surgery (lichenstein mesh repair were randomized into 2 groups by closed envelope method. In Group 1 patients part preparation was done by the conventional method followed of pre-operative part preparation one day before by razor. In group 2 patients only hair clipping was done per-operatively by clipper. Observation and Results: Incidence rate of SSI in hernia surgery at our institute is 4 %. The incidence of SSI reduces substantially by using clipper as method of part preparation just prior to the surgery.