Can double gloves improve surgeon-patient barrier efficiency?

Int Surg. 2006 May-Jun;91(3):181-4.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare double gloves (DGs) with single gloves (SGs) during orthopedic and trauma surgery in prevention of blood contact between patients and surgeons. DGs and SGs were collected after orthopedic operations, tested for size, site, and number of perforations. Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, type of operation, duration, and postoperative wound infection. Data were compared using t-test with level of statistical significance at P < 0.05. Five hundred seven operations yielded 1204 DGs and 830 pairs SGs. In DGs, perforations were detected in 220 outer glove and 39 inner glove (10.7%). In SGs, 226 perforations were detected (13.3%). The incidence of perforations in inner gloves of the double indicator glove was 1.6% (P < 0.001). During surgery, perforations were recognized in DGs in 67% compared with 12% in SGs (P < 0.005). This study confirms that DGs form an efficient barrier between patients and surgeons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Failure
  • Gloves, Surgical / standards*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control*
  • Orthopedics*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Wounds and Injuries / surgery*