What is the odds ratio for pre-operative hair removal as a risk factor for SSI (with its 95% CI)?

• A. 2.99 (95% CI, 1.24-7.23)
• B. 11.29 (95% CI, 0.76-52.08)
• C. 3.24 (95% CI, 0.87-3.45)
• D. 2.28 (95% CI, 0.52-10.00)

Answer: (A)

The odds ratio measures how much more likely a surgical site infection is when pre-operative hair removal is performed versus not performing it. The best choice shows an odds ratio around 3 with a 95% confidence interval from 1.24 to 7.23. Because the entire interval is above 1, this indicates a statistically significant association: pre-operative hair removal is linked to higher odds of SSI. The magnitude suggests roughly a threefold increase in odds, though the true effect could plausibly be as low as about 1.24 or as high as 7.23, reflecting uncertainty from the data. The other options have confidence intervals that include 1, which means they do not show a statistically significant association. In practice, this finding supports cautious use of hair removal methods (favoring clipping over shaving) to reduce skin trauma and SSI risk.