Do surgical gloves protect staff during electrosurgical procedures?

Fifteen pair of commercially available gloves were tested under conditions that occur during radio frequency electrosurgery to determine their potential to cause burns or shocks. Two pair of gloves showed a hydration effect that produced sufficiently low direct current resistance, 1500 and 5000 ohms, to be a potential shock or burn hazard. All intact gloves passed in excess of 0.75 A of radio frequency current by capacitive coupling. Eleven pair of gloves displayed dielectric breakdown of the latex or neoprene at voltages between 2200 and 2600 volts; the remaining gloves ranged from 5800 to 7000 volts. Under specific conditions all gloves tested have the potential to cause burns or shocks to the surgeon during electrosurgical procedures. To avoid burns, shocks, or glove perforation, surgeons should be aware of situations that put them at high risk.