Comparative Analysis of 2 Techniques of Double-Gloving Protection During Arch Bar Placement for Intermaxillary Fixation
Purpose
This study was conducted to comparatively evaluate, in a prospective and randomized manner, 2 techniques for providing double-gloving protection during arch bar placement for intermaxillary fixation.
Materials and Methods
A total of 42 consecutive patients in whom application of an Erich bar was indicated for intermaxillary fixation were equally divided into 2 groups. In group 1, 2 sterile surgical gloves were used; in group 2, a nonsterile disposable inner glove was used under a sterile surgical glove. Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and binomial statistical tests were used to analyze the findings.
Results
A total of 103 perforations were found in the outer gloves (47 in group 1 and 56 in group 2), along with 5 perforations in inner gloves in both groups (α = .01). No significant statistical difference was found between groups in terms of inner glove perforations (α = .05). The nondominant hand presented with 70.9% of the perforations, statistically significant to 1%.
Conclusions
Both double-gloving techniques were found to provide effective clinician protection. The use of a nonsterile disposable glove under the surgical glove is possible for less-invasive procedures, offering the same safety as using 2 sterile surgical gloves while decreasing operational costs. This method does not eliminate the need to change gloves when a perforation is suspected or noted during the surgery, however.
⁎Chief Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinics Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, UNESP, Araçatuba, Brazil.
†Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinics Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
‡Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinics Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
§Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, UNESP, Araçatuba, Brazil.
∥Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinics Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Gaujac: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinics Hospital of the Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255–Cerqueira César, CEP: 05403.001 São Paulo, Brazil
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