✂️ Hair Removal in Neurosurgery

Hair removal is often part of the preoperative preparation in neurosurgical procedures, but its use should be judicious, aiming to reduce surgical site infections (SSI) and maintain patient comfort and dignity.

• Improve access and visibility of the surgical field
• Facilitate adhesion of surgical drapes
• Prevent infection by avoiding microtrauma
• Preserve cosmetic outcomes

• Avoid complete head shaving whenever possible.
• Limit hair removal to the smallest area necessary.
• Prefer clippers over razors to reduce microabrasions.
• Perform hair removal as close as possible to surgery time (preferiblemente <2 h).

1. Use electric clippers with disposable heads.
2. Remove only the hair directly over the incision site.
3. Avoid shaving the entire head unless:
   1. Required for exposure (e.g., bicoronal, occipital approaches)
   2. Patient specifically consents to it
4. Clean area after clipping and proceed with antisepsis.

Hair remnants can interfere with antiseptic efficacy and sterile drape adhesion. Ensure:

• All loose hair is cleaned off.
• Skin is visibly clean before antiseptic is applied.

• Avoid razors—linked to higher SSI risk.
• Do not delay surgery to perform hair removal.

• Explain to the patient that minimal hair removal is standard.
• Reassure regarding postoperative cosmetic appearance.
• Document consent if full shaving is planned.