Needle prick injury to the surgeon--do we need sharp needles?

Needle prick injury is a well known hazard for surgeons and their assistants. This carries a risk of transmitting HIV and hepatitis infection. In this study the high incidence of sharp needle injury was confirmed (18.9%), with more than one third (8.7%) resulting in skin puncture. The highest incidence of injury occurred during hernia repair (27%) and abdominal wound closure (52%), where injury was sustained to the left index and middle finger as would be expected in right-handed surgeons. Blunt-tipped needles were used in 78 different procedures with technically satisfactory outcome particularly in abdominal wall wound closure and hernia repair, and even in colonic anastomosis, only two glove injuries were reported, with no skin injury. We concluded that the used of blunt-tipped needles is a practical option in eliminating needle prick injury to surgeon's hands.