Disposable instruments a must in vitreoretinal procedures, surgeon says

NEW YORK — Reusing hand-held instruments rather than opting for disposable instruments may increase the risk of transmitting abnormal prions, according to a poster presentation here

Spongiform encephalopathy can be transmitted during intraocular procedures, according to the poster by Peter K. Kaiser, MD, of the Cole Eye Institute, presented here at the American Society of Retina Specialists’ meeting. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies due to abnormal neuronal glycoproteins (prions) can lead to a delayed-onset, irreversible, progressive encephalopathy, according to the poster.

“Next to neurosurgery, many experts believe ophthalmology poses the greatest risk of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy,” the poster states. “Improperly sterilized instruments may provide the potential for prions to reside on traditional hand-held reusable instrumentation.”

In addition, the poster noted that “ASCs, satellite clinics, simultaneous OR use and smaller/rural community hospitals that infrequently perform complicated vitreoretinal cases will eliminate the capital expenditure for non-disposable instruments, allow for high-quality backup instruments, the need for qualified instrumentation staff to maintain and process these delicate instruments and the cost of sterile processing.”