ArticleAnaesthesia2026
Use of sterile gowns for single-shot spinal anaesthesia: consensus guidelines from the Association of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association, Regional Anaesthesia UK, College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland and Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Article in Anaesthesia, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionInternational guideline recommendations vary on the use of sterile gowns during spinal anaesthesia. There is limited evidence of benefit for their routine use and debate about environmental, financial and clinical costs and benefits. Updated, evidence-informed, consensus-based recommendations on the essential infection prevention measures for single-shot spinal anaesthesia are required to balance the need to maintain high standards of infection prevention with proportionate and sustainable practice.
methodsA comprehensive literature review was undertaken to explore: the risk of infective sequelae; time to establish anaesthesia; infection prevention recommendations for the clinician performing the procedure and the assistant; and attitudes to infection prevention. This formed the basis for the development of statements and recommendations, which were considered in a modified three-round Delphi process.
resultsIn total, 239 academic articles were identified, with 39 selected for full-text review. The review informed the development of 10 statements and 11 recommendations. Thirty-two professional experts and one patient representative completed all three rounds of the Delphi process. Consensus was reached on eight statements and 11 recommendations, including that the routine use of a sterile gown when performing single-shot spinal anaesthesia for uncomplicated adult patients (i.e. immunocompetent and/or for whom the procedure is expected to be neither difficult nor prolonged), should not be considered mandatory; two statements did not reach consensus. DISCUSSION: This consensus statement defines the essential aseptic measures for single-shot spinal anaesthesia in uncomplicated adult patients. While the routine use of sterile gowns should not be considered mandatory, core aseptic practices such as effective hand hygiene and facemask use are essential. These recommendations support a proportionate, sustainable approach to infection prevention. Clinicians may use this guidance to inform safe, evidence-aligned and environmentally responsible anaesthetic practice.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.