Microbial adherence to and disinfection of laryngoscopes used in office practice.

This study reports the appropriate disinfection methods for flexible and rigid laryngoscopes when used in an outpatient setting. This investigation presents evidence that an appreciable number of laryngoscopes are contaminated during use. A brief tap water rinse serves to eliminate gross soil of host origin known to interfere with disinfectant efficacy. Disinfection with 3.2% glutaraldehyde (Cidexplus) for 10 minutes effectively eliminated microbial contaminants. Since potentially harmful microorganisms were included among the more than 100 isolates during our baseline experiments, the need to eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa from laryngoscopes is obvious and can be attained readily.