Reducing Wound Infections: Gown and Drape Barriers-Reply

In Reply .—Mr Runnells initially asked why the present study was necessary to revalidate our first study. 1 The prior study was carried out with a different disposable material currently not used in operating room drapes and gowns. The present study was carried out with a material that is currently used in approximately 80% of the disposable gowns and drapes available commercially. Thus, we were not revalidating our first study but rather showing the efficacy of the currently available material. The present study was carried out in two hospitals involving closed practice of surgery, meaning that the surgeons practiced in both hospitals. Therefore, the methodology and standard of practice were similar in both institutions. Both institutions are training facilities for surgical residents, and the rotations were on a three-month basis; thus, teams were assimilated for a three-month period. Each material was used on alternate six-week intervals so that a single