Abstract
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. A gastroscope and a colonoscope were processed in a washer-disinfector and then immersed in 201 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. 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. After endoscopes have been processed in the washer-disinfector there is no risk of a glutaraldehyde-induced colitis, proctitis or diarrhoea.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
