A Technique for Disinfection of the MDO Oxygen Electrode

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Abstract
A method for disinfection and aseptic assembly of the MDO (Mehrdraht Dortmund Oberflaeche) O electrode was evaluated. The method is based on treating each electrode component separately and assembling the different parts under aseptic surgical conditons. The performance of the disinfected electrode was studied and found to be unchanged compared to a non-disinfected electrode. Bacteriological studies on the effectiveness of the disinfection technique and on the permeability of the electrode membranes to bacteria and bacterial spores were performed. The electrode membranes were penetrated by bacteria in experiments simulating in-use conditions in .apprx. 11% of membranes tested, after contamination of the inner electrode surface with heavy inocula. When studies were performed with the disinfected MDO O electrode on humans, routine cultures from the wound were positive in .apprx. 10% of the cases. No clinical wound infection was seen. The majority of positive cultures were probably caused by the surgical technique rather than the handling of the electrode. The disinfection method for the MDO O electrode makes it possible to use the electrode clinically, except in cases of hepatitis.

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