What role do surgical gloves play during a procedure?

Surgical gloves serve a critical role in maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring safety during surgical procedures. They are designed to protect the surgical team from contaminants, whether they stem from bodily fluids, tissues, or infectious agents that may be present during surgery. The primary purpose of these gloves is to create a barrier that minimizes the risk of passing bacteria or viruses from the surgical team to the patient, and vice versa, thus safeguarding both parties.

While surgical gloves may provide some level of protection to the patient from the surgeon's hands and help maintain the cleanliness of instruments, their fundamental purpose directly relates to protecting the surgical team from exposure to potentially harmful contaminants. This function is crucial as it helps prevent surgical site infections and other complications, ensuring the safety of both the patient and the healthcare providers involved in the procedure. Aesthetic purposes are not considered a valid role of surgical gloves, as their design is specifically functional and focused on maintaining sterility and safety within the operating room.