Surgical gowns

Disposable polypropylene nonwoven fabrics are widely used as the coverstock for disposable baby diapers. The expansion of the disposable diaper market throughout the world has been the primary source of growth in the consumption of polypropylene in the fiber market. In addition, nonwoven polypropylene fabrics are used in a variety of other disposable sanitary products, such as baby wipes, adult incontinence, and feminine hygiene products. Use of polypropylene nonwovens in disposable medical apparel, such as surgical gowns, has increased as a means of reducing the spread of infection. 

Fiber products account for about 15% of polypropene consumption. The products range from continuous filaments for carpeting and rope to melt-blown fibers for nonwoven goods. Specific applications include outdoor carpets, yarns for upholstery and automobile seats, and replacements for canvas in luggage and shoes, disposable goods (diapers, surgical gowns), ropes, and cords. 

Care should be taken to avoid splashing water onto the surgical attire to avoid subsequent contamination of the sterile surgical gown by strikethrough moisture. 

Plain- and twill-weave woven fabrics (Table 5.6) are used as reusable OR surgical gowns (Aibibu et al., 2006). A microbial barrier effect has been achieved by using microfilament polyester as well as by controlling the pore size in the woven structure. 

Table 5.6 Specifications of plain and twill weave operating room surgical gowns... 

Table 5.7 General characteristics to be evaluated in surgical gowns, drapes, and clean air suits (EN 13795—1)...

The various benchmark values set by EN 13795 for surgical gowns, surgical drapes, and clean air suits are found in Tables 5.8—5.10, respectively. The industrial test methods, in addition to common strength tests (tensile, tear, and bursting), comfort, and absorbency, normally carried out on hospital protective textiles are presented in (Table 5.11). 

The need to enhance the infection-free environment in hospitals by using protective textiles and antimicrobial wound dressings that are discussed in this chapter would be a valuable subject for the reader to understand the multidisciplinary areas of medicine and smart textiles. The tests, standards, and benchmark values for surgical gowns, drapes, and clean air suits highlighted are a ready reference for the reader. 

Rajpreet, K.V., Gita, N.R., Bourham, M., Bures, B.L., 2004. Plasma and antimicrobial treatment of nonwoven fabrics for surgical gowns. Text. Res. J. 74,1073-1079. 

Liquid Barrier and Thermal Comfort Properties of Surgical Gowns... 

Manufacturers have developed new nonwoven fabrics for surgical gowns that provide improved liquid barrier protection. However, the technology necessary to make a fabric impervious to liquid penetration may also increase the fabric s resistance to evaporative heat transfer. Consequently, there may be a trade-off between adequate liquid barrier protection (i.e., safety) and thermal comfort in the operating room. 

For the physical thermal tests, the surgical gowns were tested over a standard surgical ensemble on a thermal manikin in an environment chamber (ASTM F 1291) (4). The resistance to dry and evaporative heat transfer and the permeability index values were measured according to procedures given by McCullough et al. (6). 

Producers and users of surgical gowns heed to address this issue. 

Schoenberger LK and McCullough EA (1990) Liquid barrier and thermal comfort properties of surgical gowns, lER Report 90-07, Manhattan, KS Kansas State University... 

Midha VK, Dakuri A, Midha V. Studies on the properties of nonwoven surgical gowns. J Ind Text 2012 43(2) 174-90. 

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