Gauntlets and glovettes for digital surgery.

The importance of keeping pathogenic bacteria from traumatic hand injuries is obvious but removing dirt, grease, oil, solvents and other chemicals from injured hands is not always possible. In certain occupations such as construction, workers are exposed to these hazards and when injured injuries (e.g. abrasions, burns, cuts, lacerations, punctures) often present with dirty hands. The technique of using gauntlets and glovettes for digital surgery is presented. This cost effective and pragmatic technique reduces contamination of the surgical field and protects patients from neurovascular damage due to excessive tissue pressure and prolonged application time of forgotten tourniquets.