says he's most comfortable in a Level 3 gown. "That's what I usually
wear," says Dr. Blank, of the Dundee Foot Center in Wheeling, Ill., and
Foot First Podiatry in Crystal Lake, Ill. "The Level 3 gown provides the
fluid resistance and antimicrobial protection that I need."
Dr. Blank's other preferences: a lint-free gown with a high tensile
strength, a high burst strength and reinforced sleeves. "The reinforced
or augmented sleeves offer a little more protection from penetration
from some of the sharp instruments and bone fragments that I han-
dle."
Let's not forget comfort
Is it too much to ask to be cool, comfortable and properly protected?
The challenge with surgical barrier materials is that impervious fabrics
can sometimes be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
"I would like a gown that doesn't overheat me," says Dr. Blank.
"There's nothing worse than feeling like I'm in a sauna while perform-
ing surgery. A cool, comfortable gown is always appreciated."
The microfiber technology used in some Level 4 gowns let the gown
react to increasing temperature by increasing its moisture vapor
transfer rate. Some Level 4 gowns are made of multi-layered, high-per-
formance fabrics.
"An uncomfortable gown or even discomfort in a gown can cause big
problems," says cataract and refractive surgeon T. Hunter Newsom,
MD, of Newsom Eye & Laser Center in Tampa, Fla.
A gown must fit well at the neck — the Velcro adjustments can be
bothersome — and especially at the wrists, he says. "If the gown is
not comfortable at the wrists and then you put on gloves, this will
make the problem worse," says Dr. Newsom. "Ultimately, a surgeon
makes a living using his hands, so keep your wrists and hands happy."
For a high-volume surgeon like Dr. Newsom, ease of removal is an
6 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A R C H 2 0 1 7
