A surgical gown is a medical garment used to protect patients from pathogens during surgery. They provide additional cleanliness and hygiene for the surgical team, which is especially important in hospital settings where multiple patients may be in operation at any one time. The first step in choosing a surgical gown is to decide what fabric you prefer: cotton or synthetic? Cotton fabrics offer superior comfort and breathability, but wear out faster than some synthetic fabrics; while synthetic fabrics are more durable, But it doesn’t feel so natural. Synthetic fibers are also cheaper on average than cotton, so it all comes down to personal choice.
These fabrics have large pores through which microorganisms can easily flow, resulting in poor barrier quality. Tightly woven textiles should be combined with polyester and long-staple cotton and treated with liquid-repellent fluorocarbons to improve barrier quality. They are durable, but must be treated with an anti-repellent finish after each wash to improve the barrier, as they lose their effectiveness over time.
The most common is nylon. Unlike cotton/cotton polyester and other similar materials, it is made from very small filaments. During reprocessing, they are treated with a hydrophobic agent.
Here, in order to achieve a specific goal, multiple layers need to be used. The outer layer protects from abrasion and penetration, while the middle layer resists fluid penetration and the innermost layer provides user comfort.
Nonwoven technology is used to produce disposable surgical gowns, usually white. Disposable surgical gowns and surgical drapes account for about 90% of the U.S. market. Manufacturers sterilize products in this way and deliver them to customers, making them more pleasant while also improving barrier quality. However, since it is only used once, it increases the environmental risk and cost of the item.
Woven fabrics are often used to make reusable robes. It reduces medical waste and is economical. However, due to the constant recycling process, these clothes become unsafe after a period of time.
To prevent infection of surgical textiles, sterilization techniques are applied to surgical textiles. Worldwide, there are four different sterilization procedures. Gas and irradiation are examples of low temperature processes for disposable surgical gowns, while steam autoclaves and dry heat are examples of high temperature methods for reusable surgical gowns.
