Abstract
From February 2001 to May 2001, 792 latex gloves used in 100 operations from three orthopaedic sub-specialties (paediatrics, hand and spine) were tested for puncture by a water infusion test. Sixty-nine gloves from 45 operations were punctured, giving an overall glove perforation rate of 8.7% (69/792) and an operative perforation rate of 45% (45/100). The hand operations had the lowest operative perforation rate (19.4%) while the spine operations had the highest (63.6%). The glove perforation rate increased in bony procedures (60% versus 22.5%), in procedures with major instrumentation (66% versus 18%) and in more lengthy procedures. The thumbs and the left index finger had more punctures than other parts. In addition, the glove perforation rate for single gloving was 9.6% (53/552) while that for the inner glove of double gloving was 0.8% (1/120). Based on these findings, we would like to recommend double gloving and regular glove changing in these high-risk surgeries.
Résumé
De février 2001 à mai 2001, 792 gants en latex, utilisés dans 100 opérations de trois “ sous spécialités ” orthopédiques (Pédiatrie, Main et Colonne vertébrale), ont été testé par une épreuve d’infusion de l’eau. Soixante-neuf gants de 45 opérations étaient perforés, en donnant un taux de la perforation global du gant de 8.7% (69/792), et un taux de perforation pendant l’ opération de 45% (45/100). Les opérations de Main avaient le plus bas taux de perforation en opération (19.4%), pendant que les opérations de la Colonne vertébrale avaient le plus haut (63.6%). Le taux de la perforation des gants augment dans les procédures osseuses (60% contre 22.5%), dans les procédures avec instrumentation majeure (66% contre 18%), et dans les plus longues procédures. Les pouces et l’index gauche avaient plus de perforations que d’autres parties de la main. De plus, le taux de la perforation du gant en cas de gant unique était de 9.6% (53/552) tandis que pour le gant intérieur en cas de double gantage ce taux était de 0.8% (1/120). Basé sur ces conclusions, nous recommandons des doubles gants et un changement régulier du gant dans ces chirurgies à haut risque.
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Acknowledgement
We wish to thank the nursing officer in charge, Isodora Wong, and the entire members of staff of the operating theatre of DKCH for their assistance during the course of this study, and Duosai Lu for his assistance in statistical analysis of the data.
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