title: On the methods of disinfecting bronchofibroscopes.
abstract: An apparatus is proposed for the wet disinfection of bronchofibroscopes which enables to wash with disinfectant solution the external surfaces of the tube and instrument channel while keeping dry the control mechanism. Several disinfecting regimens have been tested using chlorohexidine (Gibitan), benzalkonium chloride (Roccal), diocide and ethanol solutions. On experimental contamination of bronchofibroscopes with a P. aeruginosa culture effective disinfection was achieved using 0.5% aqueous and ethanol solution of chlorohexidine and 1% benzalkonium chloride solution (5-min, exposure in the circulation mode of the apparatus), 0.1% solution of diocide only produced a bactericidal effect after a 30-min, exposure. Adequate disinfection was not feasible when the endoscope was soaked in disinfectant. Similar results were obtained when bronchofibroscopes were disinfected in a clinical setup where they became contaminated with the most common pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microflora from the airways of patients suffering from purulent pulmonary diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Diseases No. 1 of the Second Medical Faculty, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow Medical Institute, USSR.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ovchinnikov
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Dratvin
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Pilavina
mesh_terms: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D000431:Ethanol; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D000431:Ethanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine