Morphological changes induced to phacoemulsification tips after sterilization with and without enzymatic detergent use

Session Details

Session Title: Cataract Surgery Equipment/Instrumentation/Surgical Devices I

Session Date/Time: Monday 12/09/2016 | 14:00-15:30

Paper Time: 14:30

Venue: Hall C5

First Author: : K.Tsaousis USA

Co Author(s): :    L. Werner   N. Reiter   J. Perez   H. Li   J. Guan   N. Mamalis     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of detergent/enzyme residues on the phaco tips surface subsequent to cleaning and sterilization with or without rinsing of the tips. Furthermore,, morphological alterations of the tips after multiple sterilizations cycles (without detergents) were investigated.

Setting:

John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States and Utah Nanofab, College of Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States

Methods:

Two models of reusable phacoemulsification tips were considered. One tip of each type underwent one, two and three sterilizations cycles with the use of detergents followed by methodical rinsing with sterile water between cycles. Another set of tips underwent the identical procedure without rinsing. Afterwards, tips were studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to evaluate morphological changes and surface deposits. In an additional test, eight different types of phacoemulsification tips (reusable and single use) underwent ten sterilization autoclave cycles without detergents and underwent similar analyses.

Results:

Residues, containing carbon-containing material, were detected in wide areas of tips that had undergone sterilization with enzymatic detergent treatment and without rinsing. Smaller amount of residues were found in tips after sterilization with use of enzymatic detergents and systematic rinsing. Tips that underwent sterilization without detergents had no significant changes on their surface, and no deposits aside from predominantly thin layers of sodium and chloride.

Conclusions:

Rinsing of phaco tips considerably reduced the size and quantity of residues after use of enzymatic detergents. Nevertheless, detergents residues were detected on phaco tips surface even subsequent to thorough rinsing with sterile water. No major evident alterations have been found in phaco tips after ten cycles of sterilization without detergents, in neither single use nor reusable types.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE