Double gloving as self protection in abdominal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if double gloving can reduce the rate of perforation of glove barriers during abdominal surgery.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
County hospital, Denmark.


METHODS
400 glove barriers from principal surgeons and first assistants used at consecutive abdominal operations.


METHODS
Each participant was randomised to wear either a pair of single or double gloves.


METHODS
The number of perforated glove barriers in the two study groups.


RESULTS
40 single glove barriers perforated (20%) and in 8 of the double glove group both gloves perforated (4%) (p < 0.001). Glove barriers on non-dominant hands were more often perforated than those on dominant hands, and both the duration of the operation and the seniority of the doctor were associated with increased rates of perforation.


CONCLUSIONS
Double gloving reduces the rate of perforation of glove barriers during abdominal surgery and thereby the number of episodes in which transmission of disease from patient to surgeon would be possible.
Jensen
S L
SL
Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
Kristensen
B
B
Fabrin
K
K
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control