Open AccessRandomized trial of blunt‐tipped versus cutting needles to reduce glove puncture during mass closure of the abdomen
Author(s) -
Hartley J. E.,
Ahmed S.,
Milkins R.,
Naylor G.,
Monson J. R. T.,
Lee P. W. R.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.202
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1365-2168
pISSN - 0007-1323
DOI - 10.1002/bjs.1800830839
Subject(s) - medicine , blunt , surgery , perforation , abdomen , polydioxanone , materials science , punching , metallurgy
Eighty‐five consecutive patients were randomized to undergo mass closure of the abdomen with no. 1 polydioxanone mounted on either a blunt‐tipped ( n = 46) or cutting ( n = 39) needle. Gloves were changed before closure and tested for perforation afterwards using standard air or water techniques. Fourteen pairs of gloves were punctured when using a cutting needle, and three pairs when a blunt‐tipped needle was used. The majority of punctures were to the non‐dominant glove. The surgeon was aware of the puncture in eight of the 14 instances involving a sharp needle and in one of the three involving a blunt‐tipped needle. Blunt‐tipped needles, while not eliminating the risk, significantly reduced the incidence of surgical glove puncture ( P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). The use of cutting needles for abdominal closure should be abandoned.