Laboratory evaluation of the processing of permanent laparoscopic instruments: assembled versus diassembled sterilization

Abstract

Laparoscopy is a technological innovation that has brought challenges to the proper processing of instruments and their accessories. The saturated vapor pressure is the most effective sterilization method for this class of materials. There is an ingrained concept among health professionals, to the extent that the success of sterilization, it is essential to the direct contact of vapor with all surfaces of the materials submitted to autoclaving without also considering the reasoning of the latent and sensible heat. In practice, surgical teams often wonder Nursing Center Supply Unit (CME) if the laparoscopic sterilization of pre-assembled materials is assured. The few studies currently available on the effectiveness of the sterilization of surgical instruments mounted autoclaved bring no conclusive answers to support this practice. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the safety of permanent sterilization of laparoscopic instruments previously assembled by means of microbiological analysis in different stages of processing, from cleaning to the sterilization of instruments previously assembled on the experimental conditions, with organic and microbial challenge in order to answer the following research question: the sterilization process, saturated steam under pressure, the laparoscopic instruments permanently assembled previously safe? It is hoped that the findings can help dispel the doubts existing practices of the CME showing the safety of the sterilization of laparoscopic instruments permanently assembled or previously indicating the abandonment of this practice. (AU)