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Repeat autoclaving does not remove protein deposits from the classic laryngeal mask airway

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2005

L. Bannon
Affiliation:
Cairns Base Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Australia
J. Brimacombe
Affiliation:
Cairns Base Hospital, James Cook University, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Australia
T. Nixon
Affiliation:
Cairns Base Hospital, James Cook University, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Australia
C. Keller
Affiliation:
Leopold-Franzens University, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria
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Summary

Introduction: 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.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© 2005 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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