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Physical effects of reuse and repeated ethylene oxide sterilization on transscleral cyclophotocoagulation laser
Clement C Y Tham1, Jimmy S M Lai, Peter C W Fung
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, People's Republic of China. clemtham@hkstar.com
Purpose:
The authors documented the physical effects of reuse and repeated ethylene oxide sterilization on transscleral cyclophotocoagulation laser G-probes.
Methods:
Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation was performed using G-probes on fresh porcine eyes. Each of two G-probes was used for four transscleral cyclophotocoagulation procedures, with three cycles of ethylene oxide sterilization in between. The power output from the G-probes was measured by a laser output meter before and after each transscleral cyclophotocoagulation procedure. The G-probes were also examined under a slit lamp for signs of physical damage.
Results:
Repeated use of the G-probe in transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, with ethylene oxide sterilization in between, resulted in an average decrease of 3% in laser energy delivered per repeated cycle of use up to the fourth cycle. No signs of physical damage were found.
Conclusions:
Laser G-probes remain functional after repeated use and ethylene oxide resterilization for up to four cycles. No visible physical damage to the probes was identified. It is safe and cost-effective to reuse G-probe for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with ethylene oxide sterilization, provided the surgeon stays alert for signs of probe damage. This alertness should be retained regardless of whether new or old G-probes are used.