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BOUND VOLUMES AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS
Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery Volume 122 Number 5
preparation of the patient took less than 5 minutes, comparable with or potentially even less than the time required for a full shave. With appropriate draping, loose hairs were essentially not a problem and did not hinder surgical progress or slow the procedure. Actual operative time averaged 65 minutes. In all 46 patients, no perioperative surgical infections were noted. Patient and family response to the small shave technique was dramatic, particularly for the pediatric patients and parents. Parents of deaf children frequently had exposure to other children with cochlear implants placed with the standard shave technique. They thought that the small shave technique was less traumatic for their child and themselves than the more visible large shave technique, and they thought that it made the process of receiving a cochlear implant more pleasant. Many perceived the small shave to be representative of the surgeon’s skill, and at least half would prefer a surgeon who performed the small shave to one who used the routine large shave.
ROBERSON et al
629
CONCLUSION
Deviation from standard shave techniques produces no increase in risk for patients receiving cochlear implants. Use of a small shave technique offers a significantly better psychological experience for patients and their families, particularly among the pediatric age group. REFERENCES 1. Luxford WM. Surgery for cochlear implantation. In: Brackmann DE, editor. Otologic surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1994. p. 425-35. 2. Winston KR. Hair and neurosurgery. Neurosurgery 1992;31:320-8. 3. Bell RM, Bell PM. The OR—home of the surgeon. In: Lawrence PE, editor. Essentials of general surgery. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1988. p. 28-37. 4. Montes LF, Wilborn WH. Anatomical location of normal skin flora. Arch Derm 1970;101:145-59. 5. Alexander JW, Fischer JE, Boyajian M, et al. The influence of hairremoval methods on wound infections. Arch Surg 1983;118:347-52. 6. Garner JS. CDC guidelines for the prevention and control of nosocomial infections: guideline for prevention of surgical wound infections, 1985. Infection Control 1986;14:71-80.
BOUND VOLUMES AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS Bound volumes of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery are available to subscribers (only) for the 2000 issues from the Publisher, at an individual cost of $118.00 ($146.59 for Canadian, $137.00 for international subscribers) for Vols. 122 (January-June) and 123 (JulyDecember). Shipping charges are included. Each bound volume contains subject and author indexes, and all advertising is removed. Copies are shipped within 60 days after publication of the last issue in the volume. The binding is durable blue buckram with the Journal name, volume number, and year stamped in gold on the spine. Payment must accompany all orders. Contact Mosby, Subscription Customer Service, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr, Orlando, FL 32887; phone 800-654-2452 or 407-345-4000. Subscriptions must be in force to qualify. Bound volumes are not available in place of a regular Journal subscription.
preparation of the patient took less than 5 minutes, comparable with or potentially even less than the time required for a full shave. With appropriate draping, loose hairs were essentially not a problem and did not hinder surgical progress or slow the procedure. Actual operative time averaged 65 minutes. In all 46 patients, no perioperative surgical infections were noted. Patient and family response to the small shave technique was dramatic, particularly for the pediatric patients and parents. Parents of deaf children frequently had exposure to other children with cochlear implants placed with the standard shave technique. They thought that the small shave technique was less traumatic for their child and themselves than the more visible large shave technique, and they thought that it made the process of receiving a cochlear implant more pleasant. Many perceived the small shave to be representative of the surgeon’s skill, and at least half would prefer a surgeon who performed the small shave to one who used the routine large shave.
ROBERSON et al
629
CONCLUSION
Deviation from standard shave techniques produces no increase in risk for patients receiving cochlear implants. Use of a small shave technique offers a significantly better psychological experience for patients and their families, particularly among the pediatric age group. REFERENCES 1. Luxford WM. Surgery for cochlear implantation. In: Brackmann DE, editor. Otologic surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1994. p. 425-35. 2. Winston KR. Hair and neurosurgery. Neurosurgery 1992;31:320-8. 3. Bell RM, Bell PM. The OR—home of the surgeon. In: Lawrence PE, editor. Essentials of general surgery. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1988. p. 28-37. 4. Montes LF, Wilborn WH. Anatomical location of normal skin flora. Arch Derm 1970;101:145-59. 5. Alexander JW, Fischer JE, Boyajian M, et al. The influence of hairremoval methods on wound infections. Arch Surg 1983;118:347-52. 6. Garner JS. CDC guidelines for the prevention and control of nosocomial infections: guideline for prevention of surgical wound infections, 1985. Infection Control 1986;14:71-80.
BOUND VOLUMES AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS Bound volumes of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery are available to subscribers (only) for the 2000 issues from the Publisher, at an individual cost of $118.00 ($146.59 for Canadian, $137.00 for international subscribers) for Vols. 122 (January-June) and 123 (JulyDecember). Shipping charges are included. Each bound volume contains subject and author indexes, and all advertising is removed. Copies are shipped within 60 days after publication of the last issue in the volume. The binding is durable blue buckram with the Journal name, volume number, and year stamped in gold on the spine. Payment must accompany all orders. Contact Mosby, Subscription Customer Service, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr, Orlando, FL 32887; phone 800-654-2452 or 407-345-4000. Subscriptions must be in force to qualify. Bound volumes are not available in place of a regular Journal subscription.