title: Physical effects of reuse and repeated ethylene oxide sterilization on transscleral cyclophotocoagulation laser G-probes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors documented the physical effects of reuse and repeated ethylene oxide sterilization on transscleral cyclophotocoagulation laser G-probes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation was performed using G-probes on fresh porcine eyes. Each of two G-probes was used for four transscleral cyclophotocoagulation procedures, with three cycles of ethylene oxide sterilization in between. The power output from the G-probes was measured by a laser output meter before and after each transscleral cyclophotocoagulation procedure. The G-probes were also examined under a slit lamp for signs of physical damage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated use of the G-probe in transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, with ethylene oxide sterilization in between, resulted in an average decrease of 3% in laser energy delivered per repeated cycle of use up to the fourth cycle. No signs of physical damage were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser G-probes remain functional after repeated use and ethylene oxide resterilization for up to four cycles. No visible physical damage to the probes was identified. It is safe and cost-effective to reuse G-probe for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with ethylene oxide sterilization, provided the surgeon stays alert for signs of probe damage. This alertness should be retained regardless of whether new or old G-probes are used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, People's Republic of China. clemtham@hkstar.com
authors.forename: Clement C Y
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: Jimmy S M
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Peter C W
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: John K H
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Agnes S Y
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Dennis S C
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000601:surgery*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005027:Ethylene Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012008:Recurrence; D012590:Sclera; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D005027:Ethylene Oxide