Determination of Glutaraldehyde Residues on Flexible Endoscopes after Chemothermal Treatment in an Endoscope Washer-Disinfector

Background and Study Aims: Although there are several cases of glutaraldehyde-induced colitis following colonoscopy there is only one study on residues after disinfecting. Our report describes the determination of water-soluble glutaraldehyde residues after processing endoscopes with a glutaraldehyde-containing disinfectant.

Materials and Methods: A gastroscope and a colonoscope were processed in a washer-disinfector and then immersed in 20 l of NaCl solution. Glutaraldehyde was determined by high performance liquid chromatography in 84 samples. Samples were taken after immersing the endoscopes for 5 h and 24 h with and without rinsing the channels.

Results: After 5 h and with the channels having been rinsed, the median for colonoscopes was only 0.409 mg/l. The highest level of glutaraldehyde was 0.846 mg/l.

Conclusions: After endoscopes have been processed in the washer-disinfector there is no risk of a glutaraldehyde-induced colitis, proctitis or diarrhoea.

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