Starch granulomas caused by glove powder
Eggert, A.; Teichmann, W.; Dociu, N.; Kopf, R.
Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für Alle Gebiete der Operativen Medizen 52(6): 380-384
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-4722 PMID: 7249855 Document Number: 170912
Simultaneously with the introduction of new surgical gloves with heavily powdered outside surfaces, complications repeatedly occurred after laparotomies. Four patients were compelled to undergo a second operation, during which peritoneal fibrous adhesions and foreign body granulomas of omentum were found. After resection of the omentum, healing proceeded without disturbance. Five different types of surgical rubber gloves were examined by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the effect was evaluated of different commonly applied preoperative rinsing procedures for gloved hands. The amount of powder found on the outside of regularly used gloves varied between 0.059 and 0.287 g. The effect on the proper healing process by starch powder deposits found on the outside of surgical gloves as well as upon optimal cleansing of the surgical teams' hands will be discussed.