[Flexible cystoscopes: disinfection and microbiological surveillance practices among French urologists]

According to the French regulatory authorities, the highest level of disinfection must be achieved for flexible cystoscopes, as they enter a sterile cavity, the current method being peracetic acid disinfection and sterile water terminal rinsing.

The concordance between regulations and the routine was researched using a self-administered questionnaire sent to all French urologists.

Responses from 78 urology units, totalling 317 urologists (26% response rate) were analysed. As a whole, 51.2% of centers followed all recommendations on disinfection. There was no microbiological surveillance in 16.6% of centers, although microbiological tests were performed in two out of three centers before using a new endoscope or when returning from maintenance.

Improvements are needed, both in the disinfection process and the microbiological surveillance. Low temperature sterilization and the use of sterile disposable sheaths may represent an alternative.