The aims of the study presented here were to compare the frequency of surgical glove perforation among major and minor orthopaedic surgical procedures and to determine the efficacy of use of double glove in these procedures.

A prospective study was performed to assess the perforation rate of surgical gloves in 100 major (total hip and knee arthroplasty) and 100 minor (arthroscopy) orthopaedic procedures. Glove perforation rate, location of perforation, and time of operation were analysed. In 200 procedures, 1528 gloves were inspected; 622 inner gloves, 906 outer gloves were examined. All members of the surgical team wore double gloves in major and minor surgical procedures.

The overall perforation rate was 242 out of 1528 gloves (15.8%), and 70 out of 200 operations (35%) (major versus minor surgical procedures, 21.6% versus 5.6%, p< 0.05, and 63% versus 11%, p< 0.001, respectively). For major procedures, 224 glove perforations were determined, of which 23 were in the inner glove and 201 in the outer glove. For minor procedures, 13 glove perforations were observed, and no perforation were found in the inner gloves used by the surgical team for minor procedures. The right thumbs and left index finger had more punctures than others. The mean operative time for major procedures was 76.5 ± 22.4 (range; 45 to 125) min while that for minor procedures was 29.5 ± 12.6 (range; 17 to 60) min (p< 0.001).

Double gloving has proven to be an effective second barrier. We recommend the routine use of the double gloving method in major and minor orthopaedic procedures, because the double gloving method can significantly reduce the perforation of inner gloves.