Hair Restoration in the Age of MRSA

In 2008, a study was conducted to understand the impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on hair restoration surgery. The study found that MRSA infections were occurring in 9.6% of the hair transplant practices surveyed, with an incidence rate of 0.25/1000 among hair restoration surgeries. The study suggested that MRSA cases are likely to occur in hair transplant practice and should be suspected in any wound or post-surgical infection. It recommended that cultures should be taken prior to initiating therapy, and therapy should be guided by the sensitivity patterns identified in culture. The study also highlighted the importance of strict adherence to hand washing and use of hand sanitizers, as well as meticulous and consistent disinfection of all work surfaces and equipment to prevent outbreaks within a clinic.