MICROWAVE STERILIZATION OF POLYETHYLENE CATHETERS FOR INTERMITTENT SELF‐CATHETERIZATION

Abstract

A standard household 650 W microwave oven was used to sterilize polyethylene catheters of the type used for intermittent self‐catheterization. The Catheters were infected with Proteus sp. bacteria and microwaved at 650 W for periods of 2, 4, 6 and 8 minutes. The effect of microwaving was assessed by determining the resultant colony counts following catheter culture. It was determined that 6 minutes of microwaving were required to achieve sterility. It is suggested that use of a microwave oven is a reliable and cost‐effective method of sterilizing polyethylene catheters for intermittent self‐catheterization. Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved