LIPO Equipment Sterilization Procedure?

To types of cannulas are available for liposuction. Disposable cannulas are you is one time and one time only. Reasonable cannulas undergo a very rigorous cleaning and sterilization technique if performed in an accredited facility and are absolutely at no risk in transferring diseases.

The sterilization of liposuction cannulas is certainly something to be concerned about, particularly since the techniques used both for decontamination (initial cleaning) and subsequent sterilization may vary widely between surgical facilities.  Liposuction cannulas have a long internal surface (hollow interior) that cannot be scrubbed and cleaned in the same manner as the exterior surface of the cannula. Some sterile processing departments merely flush the cannulas after use with water and/or detergent, then autoclave them (‘autoclave’ is the name of the sterilization machine).  Flushing without pulsatile pressure does not ensure that all debris is removed from the inner surface of the cannulas. This need for specialized handling of hollow instruments during sterile processing applies to all liposuction cannulas, both those used for infiltration of tumescent solution prior to fat removal and to the larger ones used for removal (aspiration) of fat.  It is also of critical importance for procedures that use cannulas with very small diameters, such as those that are used for fat grafting. ·         At The Plastic Surgery Center our Sterile Processing Department uses a cannula-flushing device called the Pure StationTM System made by Pure Processing LLC.  One feature of this device is a built-in flushing pump which increases the productivity of syringe flushing of cannulas by about 70%.  Pulsatile flushing has been shown to significantly more effective at cleaning internal cannula surfaces compared to constant-pressure flushing by hand. The Pure StationTM System provide a rapid pulsatile flow of chemical detergent/cleaning solutions that cannot be produced by manual techniques.·          

There are two types of cannulas that can be used during liposuction procedures - disposable and reusable. Reusable cannulas are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized in a hospital usually so they can be used multiple times. The type of liposuction and location the procedure is done in usually determines which version is used. If you are still concerned, call your surgeon’s office and ask directly which one they use. – Dr. Ortiz

Both disposable and reusable liposuction cannulas are available.  Many surgeons may vary which they use depending the on the purpose of the procedure -- small procedure vs. large -- and the location -- office vs. outpatient surgery center vs. hospital.  Regardless, each is required to follow a strict protocol of sterilization for all reusable surgical equipment.  I would recommend that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, and definitely ask him or her how the equipment is maintained, cleaned, and sterilized.  Good luck!

 

That's a great question.  There are two answers for my practice.  When I do smaller liposuction procedures in the office I use only disposable cannulas and syringes.  It is difficult to perfectly clean the cannulas and if any biologic material is left in them then sterility can't be assured.  Thus pre-sterilized single use disposables remove all doubt.

In the hospital setting with a dedicated  sterile supply and processing department the instruments are re-sterilized after each use.  The metal cannulas are scrubbed with brushes made just for that purpose.  All biologic material is removed.  They are then disinfected and washed again.  Then the instruments are sterilized in large industrial sterilizers (autoclaves) that record the temperature and pressure throughout the cycle.  Chemical indicators verify sterility and periodic testing with living spores is done to assure no failure of the system.

I hope that answers your question.  Best of luck to you.