Postprocedural infection rate after minor surgical procedures performed with and without sterile gloves: a systematic
Oshan Shrestha1, Sunil Basukala1, Nabaraj Bhugai1
1Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anaesthesiology, Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Kathmandu.
Introduction:
Postprocedural infection has been a top priority for the perioperative team. The use of sterile gloves to counter this became popular and was routinely used, but randomized studies have shown that the benefit that was thought to be added by the use of sterile gloves is insignificant and that not all procedures require the use of sterile gloves.
Methods:
Prospective protocol registration was and electronic databases were searched without using any search filters. Screening was performed by independent reviewers, and data was extracted from selected studies. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 test, and the effect model was chosen accordingly. The odds ratio was used as an effect measure as the variables in this study were dichotomous. Forest plots and funnel plots were used to give visual feedback.
Results:
This meta-analysis included 14 comparative studies that involved a total of 12,625 patients. Analysis of postprocedural infection outcome showed no significant difference between the procedure performed using sterile gloves and without using sterile gloves (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.71-1.10; n =12,625; I2 =0%; P -value=0.26). Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis for randomized studies only, surgical site infection, and patients that did not receive prophylactic antibiotics showed no variations. The use of sterile gloves did not show any extra benefit for controlling infection during wound repair, excision and suturing, cystoscopy, and urinary catheterization.
Conclusion:
The use of sterile gloves does not have any extra benefit for preventing infections when minor surgical procedures are performed.
Insights
Sterile gloves offer no significant benefit in preventing infections during minor surgical procedures. This meta-analysis found no difference in infection rates between procedures performed with or without sterile gloves, questioning their routine use.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Infectious disease prevention
- Surgical safety
Background:
- Postprocedural infections are a significant concern for perioperative teams.
- Sterile gloves have been widely adopted to prevent infections, but their actual benefit is debated.
- Randomized studies suggest the impact of sterile gloves may be insignificant for certain procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of sterile gloves in preventing postprocedural infections.
- To determine if the routine use of sterile gloves is justified across all minor surgical procedures.
- To synthesize evidence from comparative studies on sterile glove usage and infection outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 14 comparative studies involving 12,625 patients.
- Systematic search of electronic databases without filters, followed by independent reviewer screening.
- Statistical analysis using odds ratios, heterogeneity assessment with I2 test, and visualization with forest and funnel plots.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in postprocedural infection rates between procedures with and without sterile gloves (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.71-1.10).
- Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed these findings across various conditions, including surgical site infections.
- Sterile gloves provided no additional benefit in wound repair, cystoscopy, or urinary catheterization.
Conclusions:
- The use of sterile gloves does not provide an added benefit for preventing infections during minor surgical procedures.
- Evidence suggests that routine sterile glove use may not be necessary for all minor procedures.
- Further research may refine guidelines on sterile glove use in specific clinical contexts.
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