Hair Control during Scalp Surgery Using a Sterile Gel Technique

• Main Authors: Jae Kyoung Kang, Myoung Soo Shin, Jung-Kook Song, Byung Min Yun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2018-02-01
• Series: Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• Subjects: preoperative care; surgical drapes; surgical wound infection
• Online Access: http://e-aaps.org/upload/pdf/aaps-24-46.pdf

It is necessary to organize and arrange the hair before performing surgery on the scalp. The hair is preserved in most cases, and the remaining hair makes it difficult to apply and maintain the drape. Moreover, hair that has not been properly sterilized can be a risk factor for infection. Accordingly, the authors of the present study benchmarked a method of hair control within the operative field using a sterile gel. Prior to surgery, the hair around the lesion can be organized and rearranged to the desired shape by using a sterile medical gel as a hairstyling product. Subsequently, chlorhexidine-isopropyl alcohol can be used for aseptic skin preparation, followed by draping for surgery. By controlling the hair using this method, hair can be prevented from falling into the operative field, thereby reducing the risk of surgical site infection.