HIGH-LEVEL DISINFECTION WITH 2-PERCENT ALKALINIZED GLUTARALDEHYDE SOLUTION FOR REUSE OF LAPAROSCOPIC DISPOSABLE PLASTIC TROCARS

The reusability of disposable plastic trocars after high-level disinfe ction by alkalinized 2% glutaraldehyde solution was examined in a pros pective study from the point of view of infection risk in order to det ermine the safety and economic benefits. For this purpose, 45 laparosc opic cholecystectomy cases were analyzed microbiologically and clinica lly. In 30 cases, trocars subjected to 15 min of disinfection by gluta raldehyde were used. In the remaining 15 cases, new trocars mere used and a control group was established. In total, eight culture samples w ere taken from trocars, laparoscope (as it is disinfected by the same method), glutaraldehyde solution and umbilicus of the patients preoper atively; and from the bile in the gallbladder, peritoneal lavage fluid , and epigastric and umbilical incisions postoperatively. Only one of the disinfected trocars yielded a culture-positive result. No culture- positive results were found in the samples taken from laparoscope, glu taraldehyde, and epigastric incisions. Culture-positive results were o btained in 11 cases at the umbilicus, in one case at the peritoneal la vage and in one case at the umbilical incision. None of the patients h ad infection at the wound site or intra-abdominally. In conclusion, we have shown that disposable plastic trocars subjected to high-level di sinfection can be reused safely without infection risk and that cost c an be reduced.