Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate endotoxins in sterilized surgical instruments used in hip arthroplasties.
METHOD
A descriptive exploratory study conducted in a public teaching hospital. Six types of surgical instruments were selected, namely: acetabulum rasp, femoral rasp, femoral head remover, chisel box, flexible bone reamer and femoral head test. The selection was based on the analysis of the difficulty in removing bone and blood residues during cleaning. The sample was made up of 60 surgical instruments, which were tested for endotoxins in three different stages. The EndosafeTM Gel-Clot LAL (Limulus Amebocyte Lysate method) was used.
RESULT
There was consistent gel formation with positive analysis in eight instruments, corresponding to 13.3%, being four femoral rasps and four bone reamers.
CONCLUSION
Endotoxins in quantity ≥0.125 UE/mL were detected in 13.3% of the instruments tested.
Descriptors
Endotoxins; Surgical Instruments; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Orthopedic Nursing; Operating Room Nursing