Incidence of glove perforation during caesarean section.

A survey of glove perforation in 200 consecutive Caesarean sections (100 elective and 100 emergency) was undertaken. A total of 1276 gloves were tested for punctures after the end of the operation. Evidence of perforation of one or more gloves was found following 39 elective (234 gloves, 37.2%) and 43 emergency sections (290 gloves, 44.8%) (total 82, 41%). Only in 17 of these cases (20.7%) was it realised that a perforation had actually occurred. The surgeons were found to be significantly more at risk of perforation than the other members of the operating team.