Preparing for surgery involves many steps, and managing your hair is an important part of this pre-operative process. Attention to hair styling and accessories is directly linked to patient safety and the efficiency of the operating room team. Following specific guidelines ensures that medical staff have unobstructed access to your body and prevents potential complications. These preparations help create a sterile and secure environment for your procedure, allowing the surgical team to focus entirely on your care.
Essential Safety Prohibitions
Any metal items, including hair clips, pins, or headbands, must be removed before entering the surgical area. The primary concern is the use of electrocautery devices during surgery, which use an electrical current to cut tissue and seal blood vessels. Metal objects can interfere with this current, potentially creating an electrical arc that could result in severe burns. This risk extends to metal components within hair extensions, such as microbeads, which should also be removed prior to the procedure.
It is important to refrain from using excessive amounts of hair products like gels, hairsprays, or oils on the day of surgery. Many of these products contain flammable ingredients that can act as a fuel source in the operating room. The environment contains ignition sources like electrocautery, which increases the risk of a surgical fire. Furthermore, oily or heavily gelled hair can interfere with the adherence of monitoring pads and the effectiveness of antiseptic skin preparations.
Patients should remove wigs and hair extensions, or disclose their presence to the surgical team. These items can harbor microorganisms, compromising the sterile surgical field and increasing the risk of infection. Wigs and some extensions can also be flammable, posing a safety hazard near heat or electrical equipment. Artificial hair can also complicate efforts to quickly secure the airway or place necessary monitoring devices.
Recommended Styles for Long Hair
For patients with shoulder-length or longer hair, recommended styles secure the hair using non-metal fasteners. Loose braids are often the preferred option because they keep the hair contained and prevent tangling while lying down for many hours. Two low French or Dutch braids, one on each side of the head, are particularly effective for keeping hair neat and comfortable.
If braiding is not feasible, a simple low ponytail or a loose bun secured at the base of the neck is an appropriate alternative. Use only soft, non-metal accessories, such as cloth scrunchies, elastic bands, or fabric ties, to secure the hair. Tight hairstyles, like a high bun or a severely pulled-back ponytail, should be avoided. These styles can pull on the scalp and create pressure points that become uncomfortable when lying motionless.
Ensuring Access for Monitoring and Anesthesia
The choice of a low, loose hairstyle is a direct requirement of the medical team for procedural access. Anesthesia providers and surgical staff need clear, unobstructed access to the patient’s head, neck, and scalp. Keeping the hair low and away from the crown and upper neck facilitates the placement of various monitoring devices.
These devices can include electrodes for electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, which tracks brain activity, or nerve stimulators used to confirm nerve function. A low hairstyle also ensures that the anesthesiologist has quick access to the neck area. This is essential for effective airway management, including the placement of a breathing tube during general anesthesia. By wearing the hair low and loosely secured, patients ensure that the medical team can seamlessly perform all necessary monitoring and safety checks without obstruction.