Surgical Gloves: Double-Gloving & Perforations

Increases in HIV infection and the spread of the Hepatitis B virus have raised questions about the relevance of double (or even triple) gloving.

There has long been a practise of double-gloving for surgical procedures where the outer glove is expected to be contaminated. This allows the user to remove it and continue gloved work without having to stop and change gloves. Double-gloving is often appropriate in the preparation of O.R. equipment, patient catheterization, and especially the orthopaedic use of bone cement, among other cases.

Benefits

Many orthopaedic teams routinely double-glove to avoid damage from mechanical equipment. Clinical research supports double-gloving for increased protection in general surgery^1,2.The studies showed that, while glove perforation rates in regular and orthopaedic surgery were similar for both single gloving and the outer glove of double-gloving, damage to the inner glove of double-gloving was significantly less^3,4.

The perforation of surgical gloves can be directly related to three factors: type of procedure, Duty (i.e. Surgeon, Assistant, ORN etc.), and Personal Technique. The most common cause of glove perforation in use appears to be from suture needles, orthopaedic pins, and bone fragments. They typically occur in the thumb or index finger.

For further details about glove performance in use, please contact your Ansell representative.

1. Dobbs RDA, et al, Self Protection in Surgery; the use of double gloves; Br J Surg 1990; 77:219.
2. Albin MS, et al, Anatomy of a Defective Barrier; Crit Care Med 1992; 20,2: 170.
3. Gerberding JL et al, Risk of Exposure to Patients Blood During Surgery; N.E. Jour Med 1990;322: 1788.
4. Touchette J et al, A Study of Glove Tears in an Orthopaedic OR; Can ORN Jour 1990; Sept/Oct: 24