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

Objective: To investigate the incidence of glove perforations during variou s types of gastrointestinal surgery, to record the incidence of blood conta mination of the hands, and to evaluate the protective effect of double glov ing. Design: Randomised prospective trial. Setting: University hospital, Denmark. Material: 566 pairs of gloves tested on surgeons, assistants, and scrub nur ses. Interventions: The participants were allocated to wear either single g loves or Indicator double gloves. Main outcome measures: The number of glove perforations and the incidence o f blood contamination of the hands. Results: The perforation rate in single gloves was 53/306 (17%), and that o f 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 gastrointe stinal surgery because of the appreciable protection against blood contamin ation that they offer.