Prefilled syringes: safe and effective.
BACKGROUND
Preloaded syringes are time savers, but questions have arisen anecdotally about the risk of infection from this procedure and the possible loss of potency, especially when performed with buffered syringes.


OBJECTIVE
To show that preloaded syringes do not develop colonies of bacterial organisms and to confirm that anesthetic potency is maintained for at least 2 weeks.


METHODS
Thirty-six syringes were stored for a period of 2 weeks on a shelf in our clinical procedure area with no protection from heat or light. The majority of these were then cultured for bacteria and fungi and one of them was used on one of the authors to determine the potency of the anesthetic.


RESULTS
Preloaded syringes do not appear to be prone to the development of bacterial contamination for at least a 2-week period and potency of the anesthetic is maintained.


CONCLUSIONS
Preloaded syringes are time savers and are a safe modality for use in the practicing dermatology office.
Melman
D
D
Department of Dermatology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 11733, USA.
Siegel
D M
DM
D004340:Drug Contamination; D019064:Product Packaging; D013594:Syringes / Q000382:microbiology*