A prospective randomised trial was performed to compare the robustness of a new non-latex surgical glove with a standard latex glove when worn by four general surgeons in a district general hospital. Gloves were retrieved after surgery and examined using the European Standard Test for punctures. The overall puncture rate was 10.1%, and there was no significant difference in the rates between the two types of glove, although punctures in the non-latex glove tended to be larger and more readily noted by the wearer. The increase in latex allergy among health care staff dictates the need for gloves made from other materials, which may also be useful for operations on latex-allergic patients.
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