title: Glove perforation during hip arthroplasty. A randomised prospective study of a new taperpoint needle.
abstract: Exposure to blood is a hazard for all surgeons. We assessed the incidence of glove perforation and needlestick injury from a new blunt taperpoint needle designed to penetrate tissues other than skin with the minimum of force. We performed a prospective, randomised trial comparing the incidence of perforations of surgical gloves with the new needle and a standard cutting needle during wound closure after hip arthroplasties. There was at least one glove perforation in 46 of 69 such procedures (67%). The use of the taperpoint needle produced a significant decrease in perforations (p = 0.049).
authors.affiliation: North Tees General Hospital, Hardwick, Stockton-upon-Tees, Cleveland, UK.
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Briggs
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation