Influence of double-gloving on manual dexterity and tactile sensation of surgeons

Double-gloving in the performance of surgical procedures has been demonstrated to reduce the frequency of blood contact with the hands of members of the surgical team. Concerns persist that double-gloving can compromise the dexterity and tactile sensitivity of the surgeon.

Fifty-three surgeons and surgeons-in-training volunteered at the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and were studied using the Purdue Pegboard test and a standard 2-point discrimination test to compare no gloves, a single pair of gloves, and double-gloving on manual dexterity and tactile sensitivity. Categorical and continuous variables were identified, general linear prediction models were computed, and the influence of glove status was analyzed as an independent variable. Monte Carlo simulation was employed to validate conclusions.

Gender, specialty, and handedness did not affect prediction models. Glove status did not affect dexterity performance scores (p = 0.57) after accounting for the influence of age on score variation (p < 0.001). Comparing ulnar and radial surfaces of the index finger for 2-point discrimination, no difference was detected between trials (p < 0.66), nor was an interaction effect detected with glove status (p = 0.40). Monte Carlo simulations validated the apparent absence of differences.

Double-gloving does not have a substantial impact on manual dexterity or tactile sensitivity when compared with no gloves or single-gloving in this study.