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Folk et al: Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Veterinary Surgery 3, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

40 dogs underwent splenectomy using 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices (VSDs)
Devices were reused up to 4 times after handwashing and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Biologic debris was found in 100% of devices, specifically under the transection blade, even after a single use

  • Mostly scant (14/16) or mild (2/16) debris

No devices or debris yielded positive aerobic culture after EtO sterilization
EtO sterilization proved microbiologically effective despite visible residue
Perioperative failure rate: 1 device (malfunctioned during first activation)

Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy

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← Articles

Folk et al: Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy
Veterinary Surgery 3, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

40 dogs underwent splenectomy using 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices (VSDs)
Devices were reused up to 4 times after handwashing and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Biologic debris was found in 100% of devices, specifically under the transection blade, even after a single use

  • Mostly scant (14/16) or mild (2/16) debris

No devices or debris yielded positive aerobic culture after EtO sterilization
EtO sterilization proved microbiologically effective despite visible residue
Perioperative failure rate: 1 device (malfunctioned during first activation)

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Folk 2025 et al., on vessel sealing device reuse, how many devices had visible biologic debris after ethylene oxide sterilization?

A. 0 of 16
B. 2 of 16
C. 8 of 16
D. 14 of 16
E. 16 of 16

Answer: 16 of 16

Explanation: All 16 devices had visible residual biologic debris after EtO sterilization, especially under the transection blade.
In Folk 2025 et al., on vessel sealing device reuse, what type of sterilization method was used after splenectomy?

A. Autoclaving
B. Gamma irradiation
C. Cold plasma
D. Ethylene oxide
E. Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma

Answer: Ethylene oxide

Explanation: Devices were sterilized using EtO (ethylene oxide) between uses, and no viable aerobic bacteria were cultured post-sterilization.
In Folk 2025 et al., on vessel sealing device reuse, how many devices failed intraoperatively due to malfunction?

A. 0 of 16
B. 1 of 16
C. 2 of 16
D. 3 of 16
E. 4 of 16

Answer: 1 of 16

Explanation: Only one device failed intraoperatively, and this occurred during its first activation.
In Folk 2025 et al., on vessel sealing device reuse, what was the frequency of positive aerobic cultures from either devices or debris?

A. 0%
B. 13%
C. 25%
D. 50%
E. 75%

Answer: 0%

Explanation: No positive aerobic cultures were obtained from devices or debris after EtO sterilization.
In Folk 2025 et al., on vessel sealing device reuse, what was the most common level of biologic debris observed?

A. None
B. Scant
C. Mild
D. Moderate
E. Severe

Answer: Scant

Explanation: Scant debris was the most frequent finding (14 of 16 devices), despite cleaning and EtO sterilization.

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