Minimizing the Risks of Simethicone in Endoscope Reprocessing

Abstract

This statement was written under the auspices of the World Gastroenterology Organization’s Guidelines Committee. The authors are members of the Review Team of the WGO Endoscope Disinfection Guideline and have experience in endoscopy, endoscope reprocessing, and microbiology, including biofilms. During the preparation of the WGO Update on Endoscope Disinfection Guidelines, concerns about simethicone on endoscope channel surfaces compromising cleaning and disinfection were raised. Publications on simethicone, including modes of delivery, effectiveness, and risks, have been reviewed. The paper was written as a companion to the new guidelines with a focus on minimizing the risks of simethicone in endoscope reprocessing.

Endoscope reprocessing: How to perform an adequate air drying?

“…Simethicone residues have been detected in endoscope channels after reprocessing using boroscopes. Simethicone residues make drying of the endoscope channels more difficult [22], but have not been associated with subsequent infections to date [23]. The use of simethicone should be documented in endoscopic procedures in order to be able to draw conclusions retrospectively in the event of outbreaks.…”