Short-Cycle Autoclave Sterilization of Instruments in Same-Day Ophthalmic Surgeries
Authors: CADTH  
Published: September 2024

What Is the Issue?

The volume of ophthalmic surgeries is increasingly high, with cataract surgery being 1 of the most performed surgeries in Canada.
Infections following ophthalmic surgeries, while rare, can cause severe complications that may lead to irreversible vision loss. Reducing postsurgery infections is a high priority in clinical practice.
Running a full wrapped, terminal steam sterilization cycle for ophthalmic instruments in autoclaves may be inefficient for ophthalmic surgeries and may cause unnecessary heavy economic and environmental burdens due to high surgical volumes.
Using instruments sterilized on a short cycle between sequential same-day ophthalmic surgeries may help improve efficiency and reduce resources used. These instruments are generally processed using autoclaves (i.e., steam sterilizers); the effectiveness of a shorter-cycle method of sterilization is unclear.

What Did We Do?

To inform decisions regarding the use of autoclaves for short-cycle sterilization for sequential same-day instrument use in ophthalmic surgery, we sought to identify and summarize evidence comparing this method to full-cycle sterilization of wrapped instruments and identify any relevant recommendations.
We searched key resources, including journal citation databases, and conducted a focused internet search for relevant evidence published since 2012. One reviewer screened articles for inclusion based on predefined criteria.

What Did We Find?

In a laboratory setting to simulate sequential same-day procedures, short-cycle sterilization with interrupted dry time for unwrapped ophthalmic instruments is feasibly as effective as full-cycle sterilization for wrapped instruments using the STATIM autoclave. Similarly, short-cycle sterilization with interrupted dry time for contained ophthalmic instruments is feasibly as effective as full-cycle sterilization for contained instruments using the AMSCO autoclave.
For sequential same-day ophthalmic procedures, wet instruments sterilized by a short-cycle process with an interrupted dry time can remain sterile for at least 3 minutes if kept in a covered sterilizer containment device.
One guideline recommends that wrapped or unwrapped ophthalmic instruments sterilized by a short-cycle process without full drying should be stored in a covered containment device until retrieved by staff wearing sterile gloves and gowns in the operating room for the subsequent surgery after a short delay. Phaco handpieces should be immediately primed with a balanced salt solution and remain wet as they sit on the sterile instrument table.
We did not identify any clinical setting evidence from studies or autoclave manufacturers. It is unclear if clinical outcomes differ between patients undergoing sequential same-day ophthalmic surgeries using short-cycle sterilized instruments and those undergoing surgery using full-cycle sterilized instruments.

What Does This Mean?

Preliminary laboratory evidence and guideline recommendations supporting the use of autoclaves for short-cycle sterilization of instruments for sequential same-day ophthalmic surgeries are available. However, there is no clinical effectiveness evidence available on this process in patient settings.
Future research is necessary to understand the clinical safety of using instruments sterilized by short cycles for sequential same-day use for patients undergoing ophthalmic surgeries.
In addition to the evidence and recommendations identified, other factors, such as environmental influence, may be useful considerations when making decisions about short-cycle sterilization for sequential same-day instrument use for ophthalmic surgery.