Unrecognized Glove Perforation May Raise Infection Risk After Cesarean, reveals study

A recent prospective cohort study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth has highlighted the potential risk of unrecognized glove perforations during cesarean sections, which may contribute to the rising incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs). The study involved the examination of 1,779 pairs of surgical gloves used in 593 cesarean operations. While macro-perforations were observed in 9.4% of cases, micro-perforations were identified in 5.4% of gloves that appeared intact during visual inspection. The researchers employed a water-fill test to detect these micro-perforations, which were not visible to the naked eye. The findings revealed that 21.8% of patients whose surgical gloves had micro-perforations developed SSIs, compared to only 2.2% in the control group with intact gloves. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that micro-perforation was a significant independent predictor of SSI, with an adjusted odds ratio of 12.705 (95% CI: 4.244–38.039; p < 0.001), even after adjusting for potential confounders such as diabetes, obesity, emergency cesarean, operative duration, and intraoperative blood loss. The study underscores the importance of recognizing glove integrity as a critical factor in preventing SSIs. The authors suggest that unrecognized glove perforation should be considered a risk factor for SSI after cesarean section and recommend implementing preventive measures, such as routine use of double-gloving and regular glove integrity checks, especially during high-risk procedures. These findings call for heightened awareness and adherence to aseptic techniques to mitigate the risk of postoperative infections in cesarean deliveries.