Study on the cleaning effects of different cleaning methods on reused electrocoagulation hooks in laparoscopic surgery

PurposeThis study aims to compare the preprocessing and cleaning efficacy of various methods, including manual and mechanical cleaning, on reused surgical electrocoagulation hooks (referred to as "electrocoagulation hooks"). Additionally, it seeks to investigate the optimal preprocessing and cleaning approaches for these hooks.MethodA total of 235 electrocoagulation hooks utilized in laparoscopic surgeries at a specific medical institution from August 2021 to October 2022 were categorized into four groups: Control Group A and Experimental Groups B, C, and D. Control Group A underwent manual cleaning after pre-soaking with a medical alkaline cleaning agent. Experimental Group B underwent pre-soaking with a medical alkaline cleaning agent; Experimental Group C underwent pre-soaking with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, and Experimental Group D underwent pre-spraying with an instant foam-type preprocessing enzyme moisturizer. Subsequently, manual brushing followed by mechanical cleaning using a vacuum boiling washer was employed in the three experimental groups. The cleaning quality of electrocoagulation hooks in Control Group A and Experimental Groups B, C, and D was visually assessed using a lighted 4x magnifying glass, and the cleaning pass rates for each group were recorded. The Bonferroni correction was used for multiple test correction.ResultsIn Group A, 58 observed electrocoagulation hooks underwent 34 qualified cleanings, resulting in a cleaning pass rate of 58.62%. For Group B, 52 observed electrocoagulation hooks achieved 47 qualified cleanings, with a cleaning pass rate of 90.38%. Group C, comprising 58 observed electrocoagulation hooks, demonstrated 48 qualified cleanings, yielding a cleaning pass rate of 82.75%. Finally, in Group D, 67 observed electrocoagulation hooks attained 64 qualified cleanings, resulting in a cleaning pass rate of 95.52%. Following chi-square tests and pairwise comparisons, Group B exhibited a significantly higher cleaning qualified rate than Group A (χ2=14.250, P<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in cleaning qualified rates among Groups B, C, and D (χ2=5.569, P=0.062), and pairwise comparisons also revealed no statistical differences (P>0.0167).ConclusionThe cleaning efficacy of vacuum boiling washing on electrocoagulation hooks post-laparoscopic surgery surpasses that of manual cleaning. Prior to employing the vacuum boiling washer, preprocessing with a medical alkaline cleaning agent pre-soaking, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution pre-soaking, and enzyme moisturizer pre-spraying all yielded comparable cleaning qualified rates, achieving effective cleaning outcomes. The selection of the cleaning method can be based on practical considerations.