A randomized prospective study of glove perforation in orthopaedic surgery: is a thick glove more effective?

The operative staff of 70 consecutive total knee arthroplasty procedures were randomized to compare perforation of surgical gloves in orthopaedic procedures. The surgical staff wore inner conventional gloves with either thick latex gloves or conventional gloves for an outer pair. The results indicated that the perforation rate of outer glove layers was similar regardless of what type of glove was worn. Thick outer latex gloves were associated with significantly reduced tactile sensitivity.