Final answer:
The lowest postoperative infection rates are associated with cases where hair was not removed or was trimmed using clippers. Shaving can cause cuts and depilatory creams can irritate the skin, both of which can increase infection risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the best method of hair removal prior to surgery to minimize postoperative infection rates. The removal of hair can be achieved in several ways, such as not removing it at all, shaving, trimming with clippers, or using a depilatory cream. Importantly, hair removal should minimize any skin trauma that could serve as a nidus for infection.
Shaving with a razor can cause microscopic cuts in the skin, potentially allowing bacteria to enter and increase the risk of infection. Using clippers to trim hair is less likely to cause such skin abrasions. Depilatory creams, on the other hand, chemically dissolve hair and can sometimes irritate the skin, but they typically do not cause cuts. There is evidence suggesting that not removing hair (when possible) or using clippers results in the lowest postoperative infection rates compared to shaving or using depilatory creams. The avoidance of skin trauma is key in preventing surgical site infections, and thus, hair removal practices that do not cause abrasions or skin irritation are preferred.