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

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. Methods: Overall, 108 surgical clamps were sterilised using autoclave (n=36), hydrogen peroxide (n=36), and ethylene oxide (n=36). One third of the instruments in each group were packed along with a free hair strand, another third with a strangulated hair strand, and the last third were packed alone as the control group. Microbiological specimens of the instruments were collected with swabs. Hair samples were inoculated on thioglycolate broth. Growth was evaluated after 24 and 48 hours. Results: No growth was observed among the groups after 24 and 48 hours. Thus, all the instruments were considered sterile. Conclusion: Hair was shown to have no significant effect as a biological burden on bacterial contamination risk.