GLOVE PERFORATION DURING HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - A RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF A NEW TAPERPOINT NEEDLE

Exposure to blood is a hazard for all surgeons. We assessed the incide nce of glove perforation and needlestick injury from a new blunt taper point needle designed to penetrate tissues other than skin with the mi nimum 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 arthropla sties. There was at least one glove perforation in 46 of 69 such proce dures (67%). The use of the taperpoint needle produced a significant d ecrease in perforations(p = 0.049).