Blunt-tipped needles reduced the incidence of glove puncture during abdominal closure

The study by Hartley and colleagues confirms the high rate of glove punctures that occurs during general surgical procedures (1). Most glove punctures are not immediately recognised; therefore, they pose a risk for prolonged cutaneous exposure to blood and, thus, to blood-borne disease that can be transmitted from patient to surgeon (2). Relatively few interventions in randomised clinical trials have been shown to reduce the risk for glove punctures, with the exception of the use of biunt-Cipped needles and double gloving (3). Two methodological issues, however, are relevant to the interpretation of this study. First, the authors describe a method of closure during which the needle is guided with the finger of the nondominant hand. Therefore, the results of this study may not be relevant to surgeons geon using a number-1 polydioxanone suture with either blunt-tipped (n = 46) or cutting (n=39) needles. Immediately before closure, the surgeon put on new gloves. After closure, gloves were examined both by inflating them with air and then immersing them in water and by filling them with water. During the second half of the study, gloves were also tested using an electrical detection device that sounded an alarm if the glove was punctured.