Assessment of condoms as probe covers for transvaginal sonography

Purpose. This prospective study assessed the incidence of transvaginal prob e contamination and breakage of condoms used to cover those probes during t ransvaginal sonography. Methods. Over a 9-month period, 214 women underwent transvaginal sonography with probes that had been coated with gel and then covered with a latex co ndom. Condom defects were detected after the scans by inspection, by adding hydrogen peroxide, and by filling the condoms with 500 mi of water. After the condoms were removed, the probe was either wiped with a dry tissue (dur ing the first 18 weeks of the study) or wiped first with a dry tissue and t hen with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe. Probe head contamination was assesse d by periodic swab sampling and culturing for bacteria and herpes simplex v irus. Samples of the sonographic gel also were tested for bacterial contami nation at approximately weekly intervals. Results. A total of 217 condoms were used, 3 of which broke and were discar ded while being applied to the probe. Two of the 214 condoms used (0.9%) we re found upon visual inspection to have perforations. None of the other 212 condoms leaked upon being filled with water; none of the 204 condoms teste d with hydrogen peroxide showed bubbles. Only 1 of the 46 probe swab sample s was positive for bacteria (Acinetobacter species); none of the 26 probe s wab samples cultured for viruses or the 25 gel samples cultured for bacteri a were positive. Conclusions. Condoms used to cover transvaginal probes showed a low rate of perforation. Disinfection of the probe with isopropyl alcohol wipes furthe r reduced the risk of contamination. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.