[Cost/need relations in medicine. Reuse of re-sterilized intravascular catheters]

The costs of catheters in a university radiology department are listed and the reasons for re-sterilization of catheters discussed. Questionnaires have been sent to 17 German university radiology departments. Thirteen of them routinely re-sterilize catheter material. The advantages and complications of catheter re-use are discussed.