Peritonitis from starch glove powder.

Contamination of surgical wounds by starch glove powders has produced peritoneal inflammation and adhesions in many patients. Some have required surgical operation because of possible infection, others because of obstruction of the intestine. Resolving granulomas and fibrosis have been observed as incidental asymptomatic lesions in some patients during reoperation for other conditions. Starch granules are probably capable of producing inflammation in any patient, and the degree is believed to be related to the amount of starch present. Care in removing glove powder from gloves before they are worn in an operation will diminish or eliminate the problem. Removal can be accomplished by rubbing the gloves with a moist sterile towel or laparotomy tape.