Understanding the Relationship between
Surgical Gloves and Electrosurgery

INTRODUCTION Electrosurgery has been in practice since early in the 20th century as a means to control bleeding. It was a great advancement, as it provided a means to prevent death from hemorrhaging. An inadvertent electrical burn or shock during electrosurgery can be one of the occupational hazards of the operating room. The person experiencing the event usually attributes the incident to a hole in their surgical glove. However, there are several other causes of electrical shocks or burns during electrosurgery. To gain a broader or more detailed understanding of electrosurgery and the related physiology, the reader should consult a reputable manufacturer of electrosurgical equipment, or refer to the suggested reference material included in this program. This self-study guide will describe basic principles of electrosurgery related to surgical gloves and offer ways to prevent intraoperative electrical shock or burn to surgical personnel during electrosurgery.

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