International Study Comparing Disposable and Reusable Surgical Drapes and Gowns to Prevent Infections in Operating Theatres

What this Trial Is About

This trial focuses on patients undergoing surgery to compare reusable and disposable surgical drapes and gowns in reducing surgical site infections SSI. It is a large international multi-center study using a cluster randomized design where entire hospitals are assigned to either reusable or disposable products. The purpose is to determine if reusable drapes and gowns are not worse than disposable ones in preventing infections after surgery, considering the potential environmental and cost benefits of reusable materials. The study compares two groups hospitals using reusable surgical drapes and gowns made from cotton and polyester that are sterilized and reused, and hospitals using disposable drapes and gowns made from non-woven plastic polymers intended for single use. The trial is pragmatic, meaning it reflects real-world hospital practices, and details about sterilization processes or disposable gown types at each hospital will be recorded but not controlled by the study. Hospitals are randomized to use one type of drapes and gowns for their surgeries. Participants are patients aged 10 years and older undergoing surgery with at least one incision meeting size criteria, including emergency or planned surgeries and any operative indication such as caesarean sections. Researchers will monitor surgical site infections within 30 days after surgery as the main outcome, along with secondary outcomes like mortality, wound opening, antibiotic use, emergency visits, readmissions, reoperations, and hospital stay length. The study aims to enroll over 26,000 patients across many hospitals, collecting detailed data to assess infection rates and safety over the first month after surgery.

Disposable Versus Reusable DrApes and Gowns for Green OperatiNg Theatres