Characterizing Particle Evacuation in the Setting of Positive-pressure Body Exhaust Suit Using a Novel Gloving Technique

The sterility of the gown-glove interface during total joint arthroplasty is a key factor in preventing contamination of the surgical field. To compare the potential of gown-glove interface contamination with a novel gloving technique versus standard gloving technique. We performed a study quantifying potential gown-glove interface contamination using two different gloving techniques. A 5 μm fluorescent powder simulated potential bacterial contamination. Each group gowned and gloved each hand using a modified technique versus traditional technique. Ultraviolet light was used to measure contamination at the gown-glove interface after performing a simulated surgery. The modified gloving technique did not statistically reduce the contamination at the gown-glove interface compared to the traditional gloving technique (p = 0.27). Despite using a gloving technique recently described as decreasing contamination, we noted contamination at the interface after performing a simulated surgery with a positive pressure exhaust suit. Further study is needed. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 30(3):166–169, 2021)

Key words: surgical gloving, complications/infection, total joint arthroplasty, surgical contamination