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Reuse of disposable laparoscopic instruments: a study of related surgical complications
J G DesCôteaux1, E C Poulin, M Lortie
1Department of Surgery, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Université Laval, Quebec, Que.
Objective:
To determine the rate of surgical complications related to reuse of disposable laparoscopic instruments.
Design:
A review of all laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures done between August 1990 and January 1994 in which disposable laparoscopic instruments were reused.
Setting:
Department of general surgery in a 461-bed teaching hospital.
Patients:
Patients who underwent 874 laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures in which disposable laparoscopic instruments were reused according to validated reprocessing protocols.
Main Outcome Measures:
The incidence of superficial and deep wound infections and complications related to instrument malfunction.
Results:
The combined rate for deep and superficial infections was 1.8%. No complications related to a disposable instrument malfunction were found.
Conclusion:
Disposable laparoscopic instruments may be safely reused under carefully monitored conditions and with strict guidelines.