Peri-Operative Management of the Patient with Body Piercings

Numbers of complications have been reported as a result of wearing body jewelry during surgical work-up, perioperative management and during surgical procedures. However, there is a paucity of published data regarding the clinical implications and considerations that physicians should deliberate when encountering the surgical patient with body piercings. We performed a thorough Medline literature review on August 1, 2013 on the topic of “piercings” or “body piercings” and “surgery”. Although data are minimal, anesthetic and surgical complications secondary to body piercings may be prevented by thorough informed consent and pre-operative removal of body jewelry. Knowledge of the techniques used for safe jewelry removal, to maintain patent piercing tracts, and for maintaining a non-judgmental attitude will increase patient confidence in his or her physician and surgeon.