Effects of resterilization and storage time on sterility of paper/plastic pouches

Abstract

Objectives:Paper/plastic pouches are widely used packaging materials for autoclaving medical and dental equipment. Although these pouches are recommended for single use, they are generally reused in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the ability of paper/plastic pouches to maintain sterility after multiple sterilization processes and stored in a closed environment for up to 6 months.Materials and Methods:A total of 6720 paper/plastic pouches were divided into four experimental groups: new pouches, 1 time, 3 times, and 5 times resterilized pouches. A piece of filter paper was placed inside each pouch, and the pouch was sealed, sterilized, and stored for up to 6 months. At the end of each storage period, the pouch was opened, and the filter paper was transferred to culture broth for microbial cultivation to determine sterility. Negative and positive controls were also used to validate the procedures.Results:All filter papers in the experimental groups, as well as the negative control group, remained sterile for up to 6 months of storage in a closed environment. On the contrary, all filter papers in the positive control group showed microbial contamination.Conclusions:In a closed storage condition, the paper/plastic pouches that passed multiple sterilization processes (up to 5 times resterilization) still maintained good barrier efficacy and remained sterile for up to 6 months.

Sterility maintenance of reused disposable paper/plastic sterilization pouches in actual clinical practice

“…We found positive microbial growth in a positive control group at about 2 weeks' time in culture. This is different from the previous study that found positive growth within 8 days of culture with most samples showing positive results within 24 h [17]. This could be because in the current study the damage to the pouch was less than that in a previous study where there were many holes in a single pouch.…”

“…Our previous study found the intact barrier integrity of paper/plastic sterilization pouches after repeated sterilization in an ideal condition where the sterilization processes were repeated immediately (up to 6 times) with minimal handling and without real use in a clinic [17]. However, sterility maintenance of a pouch with 'resterilization' does not also mean sterility maintenance with 'reuse.'…”

“…Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth (Becton Dickinson, Maryland, USA) was used as the medium to culture for possible contamination of the filter paper [17]. Briefly, the broth was prepared and dispensed in a glass bottle one day in advance.…”

The Road to Sustainability in Dentistry – Is the Reuse of Sterilization Pouches Viable?

“…The results of the present work are in line with recent investigations presented by Puangsa-Ard et al 19 and Klumdeth et al. 23 In both studies, no microbial contamination was found in either the twice-used or the once-used pouches, and all remained sterile for up to 6 months.…”

“…One of the complications related to reusing these plastics is that they are marked as single-use by manufacturers. 19 In the impossibility of replacing plastic with other materials because of its many assets, this study aims to question the safety and efficacy of reusing sterilization pouches without compromising their sterilization conditions. 20,21 Therefore, the question and hypothesis raised are: Can sterilization pouches be used a second time while maintaining their sterilization conditions?…”