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Assessment of condoms as probe covers for transvaginal sonography
Author(s) -
Amis Shamim,
Ruddy Michael,
Kibbler Christopher C.,
Economides Demetri L.,
MacLean Allan B.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0096(200007/08)28:6<295::aid-jcu5>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - medicine , transvaginal sonography , gynecology , obstetrics , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Purpose This prospective study assessed the incidence of transvaginal probe contamination and breakage of condoms used to cover those probes during transvaginal sonography. Methods Over a 9‐month period, 214 women underwent transvaginal sonography with probes that had been coated with gel and then covered with a latex condom. Condom defects were detected after the scans by inspection, by adding hydrogen peroxide, and by filling the condoms with 500 ml of water. After the condoms were removed, the probe was either wiped with a dry tissue (during the first 18 weeks of the study) or wiped first with a dry tissue and then with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe. Probe head contamination was assessed by periodic swab sampling and culturing for bacteria and herpes simplex virus. Samples of the sonographic gel also were tested for bacterial contamination at approximately weekly intervals. Results A total of 217 condoms were used, 3 of which broke and were discarded while being applied to the probe. Two of the 214 condoms used (0.9%) were found upon visual inspection to have perforations. None of the other 212 condoms leaked upon being filled with water; none of the 204 condoms tested with hydrogen peroxide showed bubbles. Only 1 of the 46 probe swab samples was positive for bacteria ( Acinetobacter species); none of the 26 probe swab samples cultured for viruses or the 25 gel samples cultured for bacteria were positive. Conclusions Condoms used to cover transvaginal probes showed a low rate of perforation. Disinfection of the probe with isopropyl alcohol wipes further reduced the risk of contamination. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 28:295–298, 2000.