A narrative review on current duodenoscope reprocessing techniques and novel developments

Table 3 New methods for duodenoscope reprocessing

Method	Phase of development	Advantages	Disadvantages	References
Single-use duodenoscope	Implemented	No need for reprocessing, non-toxic	High costs, quality of duodenoscope	[96,97,98]
Bioburden assays	Implemented	Quick and easy to use	Lack of correlation with microbial culture	[99,100,101,102,103]
Electrolyzed acidic water	Endoscope tested	No biofilm fixation, non-toxic	Preparation on site needed	[104,105,106,107,108,109,110]
Vaporized hydrogen peroxide plasma	Endoscope tested	No aeration needed, non-toxic	Material incompatibility	[73, 79, 111,112,113,114,115]
Cavitation	Not tested	Potentially effective against biofilm, non-toxic	No disinfecting properties	[116]
Methylene blue photodynamic therapy	Model tested	Effective against biofilm, limited toxicity	Practical application lacking	[117]
Plasma-activated gas	Model tested	Non-toxic	Short-lived effect	[118]

ISSN: 2047-2994