The role of hair shaving in skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate surgical wound infection rates in patients undergoing skull base surgery without hair removal.

METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study of 175 skull base operations performed without hair removal. Anterior operations were conducted via the subcranial approach (n = 120) and lateral or posterior procedures via various approaches (n = 55). Wounds were examined daily during hospitalization and at routine outpatient follow-up (8 to 45 months) and classified according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

RESULTS: The overall surgical wound infection rate was 1.1% (2 of 175): 0.8% (1 of 120) for anterior and 1.8% (1 of 55) for lateral or posterior procedures. It was similar for clean operations (lateral and posterior) and clean-contaminated (anterior) procedures and was less than or similar to the rates reported for skull base procedures with hair removal. No wound infection occurred among the infected (trauma, fungal infections, and brain abscess) patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Skull base surgery without hair removal is safe and not associated with increased risk of wound infection. The method may prevent additional psychologic stress, promote restoration of the patient's self-image, and accelerate his or her return to normal life.