Abstract
Along with the popularization of endoscopic
surgeries, the reuse of disposable single-use
devices (SUDs), which may cause various risks,
has become a considerable issue globally. We
conducted the survey by questionnaires for the
operating room (OR) head nurses to obtain hospital-
based answer. First survey was done for three
months in 2000 by sending the questionnaires to
2,224 hospitals. The second survey was done in
2003. In addition, for trocars and endoscopic
clips, we carried out laboratory functional tests for
the reuse of these reprocessed devices. As a
total, 94.4 % of hospitals reused SUDs routinely.
The second survey showed significant decrease in
the frequency of reuse to 86.2 % as a whole. In the
sample study, gross inspection showed the existence
of contamination with debris. In-vitro sample
study on in-hospital reprocessed instruments
also demonstrated damaged endoscopic clips
with impaired holding power. This study has
demonstrated a still high frequency of reuse of
SUDs in endoscopic surgeries in Japan. Although
financial background may be the main reason,
what is necessary to promote the single use of
SUDs are multidisciplinary and composite
approaches including an effort to lower the product
price in parallel with the establishment of regulation
and education programs.
