[Current requirements of sterilization and disinfection of endoscopic materials]

Bacterial and viral infectious risks related to gynecologic endoscopy and laparoscopy are a significant problem. Contamination between patients or by environmental bacteria can occur when sterilisation or disinfection procedures are inadequate. Endoscope steam sterilisation is the safest method and have to be employed whenever possible. For heat labile materials, disinfection procedure will comply with the recommendations stated in a recent ministerial decision, including a cleaning step with a non aldehydic detergent-disinfectant and a disinfection step with 2% glutaraldehyde. Rooms and equipment dedicated to disinfection have to be well adapted to this use and specific staff training must be achieved. Endoscope automatic washer disinfections are an alternative method to manual disinfection but they have to meet precise criteria to insure safety and efficacy.