Flash autoclave settings may influence eradication but not presence of well‐established biofilms on orthopaedic implant material

ABSTRACT Flash autoclaving is one of the most frequently utilized methods of sterilizing devices, implants or other materials. For a number of decades, it has been common practice for surgeons to remove implantable devices, flash autoclave and then reimplant them in a patient. Data have not yet indi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of orthopaedic research 2018-05, Vol.36 (5), p.1543-1550
Main Authors: Williams, Dustin L., Taylor, Nicholas B., Epperson, Richard T., Rothberg, David L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
autoclave
Bacillus subtilis - isolation & purification
biofilm
Biofilms - growth & development
Humans
matrix
orthopaedic
Orthopedic Procedures - instrumentation
Prostheses and Implants - microbiology
Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification
Sterilization - methods
viable
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT Flash autoclaving is one of the most frequently utilized methods of sterilizing devices, implants or other materials. For a number of decades, it has been common practice for surgeons to remove implantable devices, flash autoclave and then reimplant them in a patient. Data have not yet indicated the potential for biofilms to survive or remain on the surface of orthopaedic‐relevant materials following flash autoclave. In this study, monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms were grown on the surface of clinically relevant titanium materials and exposed to flash autoclave settings that included varying times and temperatures. Data indicated that when the sterilization and control temperatures of an autoclave were the same, biofilms were able to survive flash autoclaving that was performed for a short duration. Higher temperature and increased duration rendered biofilms non‐viable, but none of the autoclave settings had the ability to remove or disperse the presence of biofilms from the titanium surfaces. These findings may be beneficial for facilities, clinics, or hospitals to consider if biofilms are suspected to be present on materials or devices, in particular implants that have had associated infection and are considered for re‐implantation. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1543–1550, 2018.
ISSN:0736-0266
1554-527X
DOI:10.1002/jor.23764