Considerations in the selection of surgical gloves for tape wound closure

One of the reasons that tape closure of wounds is rarely used in the emergency department is that it is difficult for the emergency physician wearing powdered, latex gloves to handle skin closure tapes. Because the skin closure tapes adhere aggressively to powdered latex gloves, it is difficult for the emergency physician to separate the tape from his glove and apply the tape to the skin. The advent of a new powder free glove allows the emergency physician to handle the tapes and accomplish tape wound closure.