Clinical evaluation of a low lint surgical sponge.

To evaluate a new low lint, nonwoven surgical sponge material, a prospective, stratified, randomized, single blind study of 232 patients was carried out. Patients studied underwent thoracic, upper abdominal or lower abdominal operations. The new material, in the form of laparotomy pads and sponges, was compared with cotton gauze. Safety of the material was evaluated by a battery of biochemical and hematologic tests. No clinically significant differences were seen. Effectiveness was evaluated by measuring fluid absorption. The new material was significantly more effective than cotton gauze in both configurations studied. Since this article was completed, the sponge material has been refabricated into laparotomy pads which are appreciably softer and more comformable than the study pads. The newest revision has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical use.