The effect of polymethyl methacrylate on latex-free surgical gloves.

In the current medical environment of increased awareness about latex sensitivity, more patients are presenting with known latex allergy. One such patient presented to us for total knee arthroplasty. During this procedure, we noticed holes in our latex-free surgical gloves when polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was being handled. Through subsequent testing of different brands of latex-free surgical gloves with various brands of bone-cement, we found that Allergard latex-free surgical gloves are destroyed by contact with PMMA. Biogel Neotech and Duraprene latex-free gloves show no such destruction. These results indicate that Allergard gloves should not be used in procedures in which bone-cement is employed. Biogel Neotech and Duraprene latex-free gloves are an acceptable alternative.