Disinfection of gastrointestinal fibrescopes--evaluation of the disinfectants Dettox and Gigasept.

The disinfectant solutions Dettox (based on a quaternary ammonium compound) and Gigasept (based on succine dialdehyde) were evaluated during disinfection procedures with a new disinfecting apparatus for gastrointestinal fibrescopes. Thorough disinfection was achieved after 2 minutes using Dettox 8% or Gigasept 10%; persistent fibrescope contamination with Gram-negative organisms was found after disinfection with Dettox 4% or Gigasep 5%. No adverse effects in endoscopy staff or damage to fibrescopes were seen. Adequate disinfection of endoscopic equipment prevents endoscopy-related infection and can be readily achieved by trained endoscopy staff using rapidly bactericidal disinfectants.