The effect of polymethyl methacrylate on latex-free surgical gloves

In the current medical environment of increased awareness about latex sensi tivity, more patients are presenting with known latex allergy. One such pat ient presented to us for total knee arthroplasty. During this procedure, we noticed holes in our latex-free surgical gloves when polymethyl methacryla te (PMMA) was being handled. Through subsequent testing of different brands of latex-free surgical gloves with various brands of bone-cement, we found that Allergard latex-free surgical gloves are destroyed by contact with PM MA. Biogel Neotech and Duraprene latex-free gloves show no such destruction . These results indicate that Allergard gloves should not be used in proced ures in which bone-cement is employed. Biogel Neotech and Duraprene latex-f ree gloves are an acceptable alternative.