Kunststoff-Einmalinstrumente aus Hochleistungspolymer bei Tonsillektomien und Adenotomien

Abstract

Cases of the new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in human beings have to be anticipated in Germany. In subclinical vCJD, the accumulation of prions in lymphoid tissue has been identified prior to their manifestation in cerebral tissue. The remarkable resistance of prions to standard methods of sterilisation questions the safety of reusing metallic surgical instruments. The transmission of vCJD via such reusable surgical instruments in tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies cannot be excluded. In this study, 96 tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies were performed with disposable instruments made of a high performance polymer (Aesculap, Tuttlingen). No increase in the number of intra- or postoperative complications was evident. These disposable instruments may represent an alternative to reusable metallic surgical instruments in potentially infected patients or in patients desiring the use of disposable instruments during their operation for safety reasons.

Evaluation of reprocessing medical devices in 14 German regional hospitals and at 27 medical practitioners‘ offices within the European context – consequences for European harmonization

“…Disposable metallic instruments for tonsillectomies and adenotomies are expensive; therefore, a study was conducted with disposable plastic instruments that were manufactured for that purpose. The quality of the interventions was equivalent with both kind of devices, but a familiarization phase of the doctors was necessary [36]. …”