Study of the Corrosive Effect of Enzymatic, Multi-enzymatic, and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions on Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Instruments Used in the Operating Room Area of the Clinical Hospital

Surgical instrumentsSurgical instruments play a fundamental role in the success of surgical procedures. They have traditionally been manufactured from stainless steelStainless steel due to its corrosionCorrosion resistance and ease of sterilization. However, exposure to corrosive substances during cleaning and disinfection can affect their integrity over time. This study investigates the corrosive effect of enzymaticEnzymatic, multi-enzymaticEnzymatic, and sodium hypochloriteHypochlorite solutions on surgical grade stainless steelStainless steel instruments. Samples were immersed in solutions under different concentrations and their breakdown potential was measured. Likewise, tests were carried out using normal ringer's serum as a medium, which is employed according to ISO 10993-15 standard, to evaluate the corrosionCorrosion resistance of materialsMaterials used for prostheses. The results showed that the breakdown potential depends on the concentration of the solution and temperatureTemperature. EnzymaticEnzymatic and multi-enzymaticEnzymatic solutions do not pose a significant risk if kept within recommended concentrations. However, normal ringer's serum induces corrosionCorrosion from 8 h of exposure. This study provides relevant information for cleaning and maintaining surgical instrumentsSurgical instruments in order to optimize their performance and safety.