Pre-operative preparation of the skin with a depilatory.
Although the removal of hair as a pre-operative preparation of the skin is desirable, it need only be removed over an area limited to a planned incision, and then only in hirsute patients. The use of a depilatory cream as an alternative to a razor would seem to have the advantages of increasing patient comfort; of avoiding injuries inflicted by even skilful shaving; and perhaps of diminishing the incidence of wound infection, without significant risk of reaction to the depilatory. Routine extensive pre-operative hair removal in all patients is unnecessary.
D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin; D012996:Solutions; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013864:Thioglycolates / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D009824:Ointments; D012996:Solutions; D013864:Thioglycolates