[Perforation of surgical gloves in gynecologic operations and abdominal Cesarean section]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of glove perforation during gynaecological operations and Caesarean section, and to assess the value of double gloving. For this purpose the surgical gloves used in 415 procedures were tested for perforations by the water leak test. For laparotomy and breast surgery, two pairs of gloves (brand A) were worn; for vaginal and other surgery, only a single pair of thicker gloves (brand B) was used. As controls, 75 pairs of unused gloves of each brand were tested. This revealed 6 (4%) perforations in brand A gloves and 2 (1.3%) perforations in brand B gloves. Most perforations (20-40%) occurred during hysterectomy, Caesarean section, and other types of laparotomy. The gloves worn by the scrub nurse or technician were most often perforated (43.5% after vaginal hysterectomy), followed by the surgeon's gloves (29% after laparotomy). Perforations were most often located at the tip of the index finger (16.8%) and thumb (16.2%) of the nondominant hand. If two pairs of gloves were worn, and perforation occurred, only 26.7% had perforations at identical sites on the outer and inner gloves. Consequently, since three quarters of the perforations were limited to the outer glove, double gloving reduced the risk of exposure to blood by a factor of 4. The results of this study support the recommendation that two pairs of gloves be worn, at least during major surgical procedures and Caesarean section. Furthermore, the alternative operative techniques and methods of handling surgical instruments proposed for reducing the incidence of glove perforation should be tested.