Preventing Contamination by Laparoscopic Instruments
In Low-Middle and High Income Countries
P.D. Robertson (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
J. Dankelman – Promotor (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
T. Horeman – Promotor (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
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Abstract
Laparoscopic surgery has become a standard technique in modern medicine, offering numerous advantages over open surgery, including reduced recovery time, lower infection rates, and decreased blood loss. However, despite these benefits, contamination risks persist, particularly in two key areas: the sterilization and reprocessing of laparoscopic instruments and the leakage of insufflation gas, which can carry contaminants into the operating room.
This thesis investigates these risks in both low-resource and high-income surgical environments. The research is divided into two main parts: Part I examines the challenges associated with sterilization and reprocessing of laparoscopic instruments in rural hospitals in India, while Part II focuses on the measurement and characterization of gas leakage through trocars. The goal of this work is to identify the main risks and propose solutions that enhance the safety and accessibility of laparoscopic surgery worldwide.