Effect of Intra-operative Glove-changing During Cesarean Section on Post-op Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This was a randomized, single-blind controlled trial of women who underwent cesarean section
at Healthpartners Regions Hospital. Potential participants were identified during routine
obstetrical care of singleton pregnancies at Regions Hospital, at the time that cesarean
section was decided as the route of delivery by patient and provider. Patients were excluded
if the cesarean section was performed emergently. Randomization occurred in the operating
room during preparation for cesarean section; nursing staff drew a computer generated
allocation card from a stack placed within an envelope in the room. Patients assigned to the
control group underwent cesarean section with standard surgical technique at the discretion
of the attending surgeon. Patients assigned to the glove change group underwent cesarean
section in which the surgical team - surgeon, assistant, and scrub nurse - replaced their
outer surgical gloves with a new sterile pair of gloves prior to abdominal closure. Abdominal
closure was considered to begin with closure of the peritoneum, if performed, otherwise with
closure of the abdominal fascia.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Pregnant woman with singleton pregnancy and shared decision making with provider
resulting in plan for cesarean section

Exclusion Criteria:

- Severe immunocompromise (AIDS) or emergent nature of cesarean section