Why can't you wear jewelry during surgery?

Jewellery is a hazard in the Operating room for a number of reasons. If you are a patient having surgery, jewellery must be removed because the surgeon will often be using an electrosurgical unit to help control bleeding. If you are wearing metal, it can interfere with the passing of electricity through your body. In addition, jewellery within the operative site must be removed as it gets in the way and harbors bacteria, which can lead to post operative infections (ie. having an incision around the belly button would mean a definite need to remove a navel piercing).

First, let's spell it right. Jewelry is not allowed in the operating room for several reasons. The first one is to prevent the patient from receiving a "possible" burn from the current that comes from the electrocautery unit. Electricity will and can travel to any metal on the body. That's the reasoning for the grounding pad. Second, if the patient experiences edema during surgery, the jewelry could cause a danger in cutting off circulation to an extremity, say a finger or toe. Thirdly, infection is always important to prevent. Jewelry with stones carry more germs than plain gold bands, but the underlying tissue can harbor germs.

So to protect you patient and yourself, always advise your patients about the risk and then let them make the choice. Have them sign a waiver that acknowledges they are aware of the risks.