title: Preoperative skin preparation: clinical evaluation of depilatory cream.
abstract: Preoperative hair removal by a depilatory cream was compared with routine shaving. Although the incidence of wound infection was similar in both groups, cream depilation was found to be better. It was effective, atraumatic, non-toxic, and could be self-administered. Furthermore, it could be used safely on granulating wounds and did not support bacterial growth. Depilation was associated with a significant reduction in skin surface bacteria and proved to be cheaper than shaving.
mesh_terms: D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013324:Strontium; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013864:Thioglycolates; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients; D013864:Thioglycolates; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D013324:Strontium