Document 0856
 DOCN  M9550856
 TI    Needle prick injury to the surgeon--do we need sharp needles?
 DT    9505
 AU    Dauleh MI; Irving AD; Townell NH; Department of Urology, Dundee Royal
       Infirmary, UK.
 SO    J R Coll Surg Edinb. 1994 Oct;39(5):310-1. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95165341
 AB    Needle prick injury is a well known hazard for surgeons and their
       assistants. This carries a risk of transmitting HIV and hepatitis
       infection. In this study the high incidence of sharp needle injury was
       confirmed (18.9%), with more than one third (8.7%) resulting in skin
       puncture. The highest incidence of injury occurred during hernia repair
       (27%) and abdominal wound closure (52%), where injury was sustained to
       the left index and middle finger as would be expected in right-handed
       surgeons. Blunt-tipped needles were used in 78 different procedures with
       technically satisfactory outcome particularly in abdominal wall wound
       closure and hernia repair, and even in colonic anastomosis, only two
       glove injuries were reported, with no skin injury. We concluded that the
       used of blunt-tipped needles is a practical option in eliminating needle
       prick injury to surgeon's hands.
 DE    Accidents, Occupational/*PREVENTION & CONTROL  Data Interpretation,
       Statistical  Finger Injuries/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/ETIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL
       Human  *Needles  Needlestick Injuries/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL
       Prospective Studies  Risk Factors  *Surgery  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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