Double Surgical Glove Perforation During Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Procedures

Objectives: To study the occurrences of double surgical glove perforation during oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures
Methods: Comparative clinical study was done among surgeons and assistants in relation to the glove perforation during oral & maxillofacial surgical procedures and, collected the data concerning with name of operation, duration of operation, dominant and non-dominant hand of each individual and, outer and inner glove perforation according to the topographical distribution. Then, incidence of glove perforations were assessed in each glove.
Objective testing of both gloves was performed by insufflating the glove with approximately 500ml of tap water. The cuff end of glove was twisted and closed properly. The outer surface of the glove was blotted dry and gentle pressure was exerted with palm and fingers. Glove perforation were identified and recorded according to the topographical distribution of surgical glove and number of perforation in each surgical glove.
Results: A total of 101 surgical procedures were performed and 404 surgical gloves were assessed. Glove perforation was occurred in 14.85% (15 out of 101 procedures) of all cases, worn by surgeons and assistants. Greater number of perforation was observed among assistants’ in operation longer than 1 hour. Regarding dominant and non-dominant hand, more glove perforation was occurred in non-dominant hand of surgeons’. According to the topographical distribution, index finger is most common site of glove perforation in surgeon’s group. Although outer glove perforation was common, 21 out of 202 of outer gloves, 10.4% for both surgeons and assistants, only 0.99% of perforation was observed in inner gloves of both surgeons and assistants.
Conclusions: According to this study, glove perforation remains quite common and double gloving has been proven to be in protective barrier in oral & maxillofacial surgery, like others surgical procedures. Although, double gloving offers extra-protection for surgeons and assistants.