Glove punctures in orthopaedic surgery

• Published in: International orthopaedics Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 36 - 39
• Main Authors: YINUSA, W, LI, Y. H, CHOW, W, HO, W. Y, LEONG, J. C. Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.02.2004; Springer-Verlag
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Equipment Failure; Gloves, Surgical; Humans; Medical sciences; Original Paper; Orthopedic Procedures - adverse effects; Human; Glove; Treatment; Perforation; Surgery; Orthopedics; Sting; Surgeon
• ISSN: 0341-2695; 1432-5195
• DOI: 10.1007/s00264-003-0510-5

From February 2001 to May 2001, 792 latex gloves used in 100 operations from three orthopaedic sub-specialties (paediatrics, hand and spine) were tested for puncture by a water infusion test. Sixty-nine gloves from 45 operations were punctured, giving an overall glove perforation rate of 8.7% (69/792) and an operative perforation rate of 45% (45/100). The hand operations had the lowest operative perforation rate (19.4%) while the spine operations had the highest (63.6%). The glove perforation rate increased in bony procedures (60% versus 22.5%), in procedures with major instrumentation (66% versus 18%) and in more lengthy procedures. The thumbs and the left index finger had more punctures than other parts. In addition, the glove perforation rate for single gloving was 9.6% (53/552) while that for the inner glove of double gloving was 0.8% (1/120). Based on these findings, we would like to recommend double gloving and regular glove changing in these high-risk surgeries.