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Surgical glove perforation rates in otolaryngology

J Hill1, M S Morrissey, T Alun-Jones

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK.

Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|December 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Surgical glove perforations averaged 4.8% during a 6-week study of Ear, Nose, and Throat procedures. Rates varied significantly by surgery type, from zero for endoscopy to 28.5% for major head and neck resections.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Surgical Safety
  • Infection Control

Background:

  • Surgical glove integrity is crucial for preventing surgical site infections and protecting healthcare workers.
  • Understanding perforation rates across different procedures can inform safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the perforation rate of surgical gloves used by Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons and scrub nurses.
  • To analyze how perforation rates vary across different types of ENT surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 911 pairs of surgical gloves.
  • Gloves were collected over a 6-week period from ENT surgeons and scrub nurses.
  • Perforations were identified and recorded for each glove pair.

Main Results:

  • An overall average surgical glove perforation rate of 4.8% was observed.
  • Perforation rates ranged from 0% during endoscopic procedures to 28.5% during major head and neck resections.
  • Significant variation in perforation risk was noted depending on the surgical procedure's complexity and duration.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical glove perforations are a notable concern in Ear, Nose, and Throat surgery.
  • Procedure-specific risk stratification for glove perforations is warranted.
  • Enhanced vigilance and potentially modified protocols for high-risk procedures may be necessary to improve surgical safety.

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