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Endoscopy 2001; 33(6): 529-532
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14956
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Determination of Glutaraldehyde Residues on Flexible Endoscopes after Chemothermal Treatment in an Endoscope Washer-Disinfector

B. Dietze1 , H. Neumann1 , U. Mansmann2 , H. Martiny1
  • 1 Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin - Technical Hygiene, Fachbereich Humanmedizin, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 2 Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Fachbereich Humanmedizin, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Background and Study Aims: Although there are several cases of glutaraldehyde-induced colitis following colonoscopy there is only one study on residues after disinfecting. Our report describes the determination of water-soluble glutaraldehyde residues after processing endoscopes with a glutaraldehyde-containing disinfectant.

Materials and Methods: A gastroscope and a colonoscope were processed in a washer-disinfector and then immersed in 20 l of NaCl solution. Glutaraldehyde was determined by high performance liquid chromatography in 84 samples. Samples were taken after immersing the endoscopes for 5 h and 24 h with and without rinsing the channels.

Results: After 5 h and with the channels having been rinsed, the median for colonoscopes was only 0.409 mg/l. The highest level of glutaraldehyde was 0.846 mg/l.

Conclusions: After endoscopes have been processed in the washer-disinfector there is no risk of a glutaraldehyde-induced colitis, proctitis or diarrhoea.

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B. Dietze, M.D.

Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Humanmedizin
Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin - Technische Hygiene

Hindenburgdamm 27
12203 Berlin
Germany


Fax: Fax:+ 49-30-84454490

Email: E-mall:martiny@medizin.fu-berlin.de

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