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Glove Quality
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 surgery1,2.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 less3,4.
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
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