DisposablePaperGown
ADVANTAGES: Papergownsareresistanttowettingsotheyarelesspermeabletobacteria.Theyarepreferredforwetbloodysurgery(equineaBDominalsurgery). Donninganewgownforeachsurgeryanddisposingofitattheendensuressterility. DISADVANTAGES: Paperislessecologicallysoundbecauseitisnotreusable. Linen(cloth)Gowns
ADVANTAGES: Linengownsarebothcomfortableandreusable.Previouslyworngownscanbeautoclavedtoregainsterility. DISADVANTAGES: Linenisawovenmaterialsothatwhenitbecomeswet,bacteriacanpermeatethroughitsinterstices.Linenisnotthegownmaterialofchoiceforwet,bloodysurgicalprocedures. PlasticGowns
ADVANTAGES: Plasticissuperiorinitsresistancetowettingandbacterialpenetration.Plasticcanbeusedtoreinforcepapergownsduringwetsurgery(plasticsleevesforabdominalsurgery). DISADVANTAGES: PlasticisextremelyuncomfortabletowearbecauseoftheinABIlitytoshedheatandperspiration.