THE HIGH LEVEL DISINFECTION WITH 2% ALKALINIZED GLUTERALDEHYDE SOLUTION FOR REUSAGE OF LAPAROSCOPIC DISPOSABLE PLASTIC TROCARS

Abstract

The reusability of disposable plastic trocars after high-level disinfection by alkalinized 2% gluteraldehyde solution was examined in a prospective study from the point of view of infection risk in order to determine the safety and economic benefits of the practice. For this purpose, 45 laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases were analysed microbiologically and clinically. In 30 of the cases, trocars subjected for fifteen minutes of disinfection by gluteraldehyde were used. In the remaining 15 cases, new trocars were used and a control group was established. A total of 8 culture samples were taken from trocars, laparoscope disinfected by the same method, gluteraldehyde solution and umbilicus of the patients preoperatively; and from the bile in the gallbladder, peritoneal lavage fluid, and epigastric and umbilical incisions postoperatively. Only one of the disinfected trocars yielded a positive culture result. No culture positive results were found in the samples taken from laparoscope, gluteraldehyde and epigastric incisions. Culture positive results were obtained in 11 cases at the umbilicus, in one case at the peritoneal lavage, and in one case at the umbilical incision. None of the patients had infection at the wound site or intraabdominally. In conclusion, we have shown that disposable plastic trocars subjected to high-level disinfection can be reused safety without infection risk, and that economic expenditure can be reduced.