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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on February 12, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh156
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
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Received December 11, 2002
Revised November 21, 2003
Accepted November 26, 2003

Article

Retrograde migration of glove powder in the human female genital tract

A.C.E. Sjösten 1*, H. Ellis 2, and G.A.B. Edelstam 1

1 Karolinska Institutet, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Stockholm Söder Hospital, s-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden
2 Department of Anatomy, Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Biomedical Sciences, London Bridge, London SEI 9RT, UK

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: anette.sjosten{at}sos.sll.se.


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study in humans was undertaken to evaluate earlier results from animal research showing a retrograde migration of glove powder from the vagina into the intra-abdominal cavity. METHODS: One study group was gynaecologically examined with powdered gloves the day before an abdominal hysterectomy and another group 4 days pre-operatively. There were two control groups similarly examined with powder-free gloves. Cell smears were taken from the peritoneal fluid and during the operation further smears were taken from the Fallopian tubes, uterine cavity and cervical canal. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found for large starch particles at all locations between the study and control groups examined 1 day pre-operatively. Considering small starch particles, there were significant differences in cervix (P < 0.001), uterus (P < 0.01) and the Fallopian tubes (P < 0.01). The combined results also show significant differences between both large and small starch particles in cervix, uterus and the Fallopian tubes. There were also differences between the study and control groups examined 4 days pre-operatively, but these were not statistically significant except for small and large starch particles in uterus (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and cervix (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has pointed out a retrograde migration of starch also in humans after a gynaecological examination with powdered gloves. Consequently, powder or any other potentially harmful substance that can migrate from the vagina should be avoided.

Key words: Key words: female/gloves/retrograde migration/starch particles/vaginal examination


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