Protectionfrom infection is a major concern for the patient and health care professional.

Thedisposable nonwovens used in surgical environment possess barrier protectionfrom fluid, particulate and microorganism to reduce the chance of crossinfection. Surgical gowns should be breathable so it provides physical comfort.

Generalsurgical operation shows that there has significant reduction in the postoperative infection rate when disposable gown and drapes were used. Disposableproduct also reduce the chance of wound infection in develop country like USA,where 80 % of surgical clothing are of single use. These disposable nonwovenare usually used in the form of composite and they are sterile, soft,antibacterial, and liquid repellent as well as liquid absorbent. For medicalend use, nonwoven can be mad of natural fiber like cotton, linen, and wood pulpand from manmade material as polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polyethylene,glass and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). New biopolymer as PLA and others arealso used to produce biodegradable product.

Today'sdifferent surgical gowns are designed to handle different surgeries the cost ofgowns varies with the amount of protection afforded. Disposable gowns offerbenefits that hospital can dispose the contaminated textile quickly. Proper fitof gowns more effectively repeal the dangerous infection. It must allow thenecessary mobility without rubbing and must resist tearing and linting.

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This article was originally published in the Textile Review magazine,September, 2012, published by Saket Projects Limited, Ahmedabad.

About the Author:

Abhishek is associatedwith D.K.T.E.S. Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji