Issues in reprocessing of instruments for robotic surgery

Abstract

We investigated the level of contamination of instruments for robotic surgery. Used and unused robotic instruments were collected after robotic procedures. Amount of protein attached to the surface in 3 parts of the robotic instruments were measured. Amount of protein collected from the surface of the robotic instruments was 1.37±0.34 mg, 1.22±0.37 mg and 28.3±10.1 mg for jaws, shafts and housings, and inside lumen of the instruments used in operation, respectively. In robotic instruments prepared but not used, the amount was 0.030±0.003mg, 0.27±0.22 mg and 0.44±0.07 mg, respectively. The level of contamination inside the lumen of robotic instruments was high after surgery, which would be associated with infiltration of body fluid. The cleaning efficiency was considered to be relatively low. It is important to retain cleanliness of the inside surface of surgical instruments with narrow lumens, including robotic instruments. Our results suggested that irrigation of detergent should be included in the cleaning procedure for robotic instruments.