Assessing ultraviolet-C light-emitting diode disinfection of disposable video laryngoscope blades: a sustainable approach through an integrated microbiological, environmental, economic, and regulatory evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The shift from reusable to single-use anaesthesia devices, such as laryngoscope blades, is increasingly questioned because of the financial and environmental costs of disposables. Validated disinfection methods enabling safe reuse could provide clinical, economic, and sustainability benefits.

METHODS: In this laboratory-based experimental study, disposable McGRATH™ X-blade video laryngoscope blades were artificially contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and subjected to automated ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light-emitting diode (LED) disinfection under different reprocessing conditions. An integrated assessment was performed, including microbiological efficacy, material integrity after repeated UV-C exposure, estimated economic and environmental impact, and regulatory considerations. Results were compared with single-use, steam autoclaving, and chlorine dioxide wipe-based disinfection.

RESULTS: UV-C disinfection reduced Staphylococcus aureus contamination to undetectable levels across all experimental conditions; unpackaged cleaned, uncleaned blades, and packaged uncleaned blades (n=6, n=5, and n=5, respectively). No visible degradation, functional impairment, or deterioration in image quality was observed after repeated UV-C exposure. Per-cycle cost was less than €0.20, and greenhouse-gas emissions were reduced by 92-94% compared with single-use. In contrast, autoclaving or chemical disinfection compromised blade usability.

CONCLUSIONS: Automated UV-C LED treatment effectively disinfected McGRATH X-blades under controlled laboratory conditions, preserving material integrity and offering substantial environmental and economic advantages. This approach may support more sustainable anaesthetic practice where validated point-of-care reprocessing is implemented.