It has long been recognized that cloth when it becomes wet is not an effective bacterial barrier.1,2 Plastic films provide absolute bacterial barriers, wet or dry. These films have not been exploited, however, on the theory that an impermeable drape material would cause a marked temperature elevation in the surgical patient.2,3-5 A recent study investigated the safety and acceptability of this nonporous draping fabric for adult surgical patients. No significant change in body temperature was noted.6
We undertook evaluation of this nonporous fabric for pediatric surgical patients and four findings paralleled the results obtained with adult patients. The previously accepted theory that patients could not be covered with an impermeable drape material without a dangerous rise in body temperature has not been supported by our data.
Materials and Methods
An impermeable fabric material consisting of synthetic rayon fibers bonded on both sides of a 0.025 mm polyethylene