[Comparative economic evaluation of nonwoven and traditional woven textiles in operating rooms].

The nonwoven textiles do not let oneself unconcerned, but are often considered with reserve in the operating theatre, at least for the "noble" textiles, such as the surgical drapes or the surgeon's gowns. Their part is to set barriers to prevent against microbial contamination. Now, it is proved that these nonwoven textiles qualities rise above that of the woven materials. What are the reasons for this reserve? A survey carried out in 1986 at the Angers hospital, compared with other similar studies, have shown a cost decreased by 20 per cent on an average, when the nonwoven textiles are used for a surgical operation, except the gowns. On the other hand, the cost increases by 20 per cent when nonwoven textiles gowns are also used. The features of the traditional textiles versus nonwoven ones in an operating theatre are described and show the interest of the nonwoven textiles.