Fellow: Christian Folk

Mentor: Nicole Buote

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 

Multiple studies in the veterinary literature have reviewed vessel sealing devices' ability to perform effectively following multiple sterilizations using ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide; however, effective decontamination following ethylene oxide sterilization for these devices using clinical patients has not been described. Our objective is to determine the efficacy of ethylene oxide sterilization for disposable (single-use) vessel sealing devices following use in live canine patients. Our secondary objective is to determine the number of uses before biologic debris is found within these devices' inner mechanics and whether that debris is biologically active. We hypothesize that ethylene oxide sterilization will be appropriate for vessel sealing devices. Our second hypothesis is that biologic debris will be present within the device; however, the debris will not be biologically active. Our specific aims are 1) determine the efficacy of ethylene oxide sterilization by culturing disposable vessel sealing devices (n=16) following their use for splenectomies using client-owned patients (n=40), 2) determine the number of uses before biologic debris is found within the inner mechanics by disassembling the units, and 3) determine if the debris present within the vessel sealing device is biologically active with collection and submission of debris for culture. Our goal/expected outcome is to document successful sterilization of the vessel sealing device following sterilization with ethylene oxide and the presence of non biologically active debris within the device. This study's clinical impact will provide confidence in ethylene oxide sterilization to decontaminate vessel sealing devices despite the presence of biologic debris after multiple uses.