Does Hair Strand Cause Failure of Sterilization? A Controlled Experimental Study

Abstract

Objective: Besides the standard applications of surgical aseptic techniques, it is known that different teams display different approaches in the presence of a hair strand in sterile packs. Few of the teams prefer not to use the instruments and postpone the surgery, whereas others may decide to remove the hair and the instruments in contact and continue using the remaining part. Evidence is required to determine a standard approach in such practices, which leads to negative consequences.