Compatibilities and incompatibilities between gamma rays and ethylene oxide as consecutive sterilization methods

Abstract

The doubt regarding the re-sterilization of articles made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sterilized with gamma radiation (GR) and subsequently with ethylene oxide (EO) persists to date. Through a systematic literature review, this article analyzed studies that demonstrated compatibilities and incompatibilities between the sterilization processes with GR and EO, when used as consecutive sterilization methods. Seven studies were analyzed. It was verified that there is a multifactor influence regarding the safety of the procedure and that the chromatography analytical method employed by most studies yielded controversial results. This fact indicates the need for further studies on the issue, using more sensitive analytical methods than gas chromatography, such as the biological reactivity test in cell cultures, in an attempt to clarify the chronic doubt regarding the adequacy or inadequacy of sterilizing previously gamma-irradiated materials with EtO.