Repeat autoclaving does not remove protein deposits from the classic laryngeal mask airway.
BACKGROUND
We tested the hypothesis that repeated autoclaving removes protein deposits from the classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA).


METHODS
Twenty previously used LMAs were hand washed, machine washed, dried, autoclaved and randomly allocated into four equal-sized groups for repeat autoclaving on 0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 occasions. After the final autoclave cycle, the LMAs were immersed in a protein-staining solution, rinsed, dried and a high-resolution digital image taken of the dorsal and ventral surfaces. The severity of staining was scored by two blinded observers.


RESULTS
All LMAs were stained. There was no reduction in staining with repeat autoclaving.


CONCLUSIONS
Repeat autoclaving does not remove protein deposits from the LMA.
Bannon
L
L
Cairns Base Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Australia.
Brimacombe
J
J
Nixon
T
T
Keller
C
C
D006358:Hot Temperature; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D015588:Observer Variation; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018401:Sample Size; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
D011506:Proteins