Incidence of glove perforations in gastrointestinal surgery and the protective effect of double gloves: A prospective, randomised controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence of glove perforations during various types of gastrointestinal surgery, to record the incidence of blood contamination of the hands, and to evaluate the protective effect of double gloving. Design: Randomised prospective trial. Setting: University hospital, Denmark. Material: 566 pairs of gloves tested on surgeons, assistants, and scrub nurses. Interventions: The participants were allocated to wear either single gloves or indicator double gloves. Main outcome measures: The number of glove perforations and the incidence of blood contamination of the hands. Results: The perforation rate in single gloves was 53/306 (17%), and that of both outer and inner Indicator gloves at corresponding sites was 6/260 (2%) (p < 0.0001). Double gloving reduced the rate of blood contamination of the hands among surgeons from 15/115 (13%) to 2/98 (2%) (p < 0.005). Conclusion: The use of Indicator double gloves is recommended in gastrointestinal surgery because of the appreciable protection against blood contamination that they offer.