The effect of steam sterilisation at 134 degrees C on light intensity provided by fibrelight Macintosh laryngoscopes.

Abstract

We studied the repeated effect of sterilisation on light intensity in laryngoscopes from Penlon, Riester, Heine (two different blades), Medicon and Upsher. Light intensity was measured by a light meter using two methods. Measurements were performed before the decontamination procedure was carried out and subsequently after each series of 25 procedures until a total of 200 cycles was reached. Using method 1 (and 2), the reduction in light intensity after 200 cycles was 100% (100%; no light emitted), 37% (13%), 75% (69%), 79% (60%), 37% (14%) and 63% (55%) for each blade, respectively.