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6032424 
Journal Article 
'Sterilization' of arthroscopes and laparoscopes 
Ayliffe, GAJ; Babb, JR; Bradley, CR 
1992 
Yes 
Journal of Hospital Infection
ISSN: 0195-6701 
22 
4 
265-269 
Recent correspondence in the Journal indicates that the decontamination of arthroscopes and laparoscopes is still a problem. They penetrate skin and are therefore classified as 'high risk' or 'critical' items and should be sterilized. Autoclaving is the optimal process, but many instruments, particularly the telescopes, are damaged by exposure to high temperatures. Ethylene oxide (EO), low temperature steam with or without formaldehyde (LTS/F) or immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde for 3 h or 'Gigasept' for 4 h are other possibilities for 'sterilization'. These processes are lengthy and a sufficient number of instruments (i.e. one for each patient on the list) is required for an operating session and most hospitals only possess, or routinely use, one or two instruments per session. In a mail survey of practices in 107 hospitals in North Carolina rigid endoscopes were 'high level' disinfected using 2% glutaraldehyde in 57% of hospitals, EO sterilized in 17%, and processed either using EO or glutaraldehyde in 13% of the hospitals surveyed. High-level disinfection implies the killing of vegetative bacteria, most viruses, fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis , but not necessarily spores. In the UK, EO or LTS/F is rarely available for routine treatment of operative endoscopes and most hospitals use immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde for 10-20 min. 
laproscopy; arthroscopy; Microbiology Abstracts A: Industrial & Applied Microbiology; sterilization; methodology; A 01070:Sterilization, preservation & packaging