Surgical Glove Perforation and Percutaneous Injury during Intermaxillary Fixation with 0.5 Mm Stainless Steel Wire
T E Osodin1, O A Akadiri2, V I Akinmoladun3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
West African Journal of Medicine
|September 4, 2022
Summary
Surgeons face significant glove perforation and percutaneous injury risks during wire intermaxillary fixation for jaw fractures. Double gloving reduces injury risk, lowering pathogen exposure for surgeons and patients.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Safety
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Orthognathic Surgery
Background:
- Surgical glove perforation poses a significant risk of pathogen exposure to patients and surgeons.
- This risk is amplified in jaw fracture surgeries using stainless-steel wire for intermaxillary fixation, often leading to percutaneous injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of glove perforations and percutaneous injuries during wire intermaxillary fixation procedures.
- To evaluate the impact of single versus double gloving on these risks.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 564 gloves used in wire intermaxillary fixation procedures in two Nigerian tertiary hospitals.
- Surgeons and trainees' gloving methods, perforation rates, and percutaneous injuries were recorded.
- Gloves were examined post-procedure for perforations.
Main Results:
- Surgeons experienced a 21.4% glove perforation rate, with the forefinger being most affected.
- Trainees had a 15.4% glove perforation rate.
- Percutaneous injuries occurred in 9.7% of surgeon cases and 5.7% of trainee cases.
Conclusions:
- Wire-based intermaxillary fixation procedures carry a high risk of glove perforations and percutaneous injuries.
- While double gloving showed more perforations, it significantly reduced percutaneous injuries, thereby lowering the risk of blood-borne pathogen exposure.
